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This  book  was  presented  by 

Mr.   &  Mrs.   Thomas  Littleton 


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M  A  ]\  U  A  L, 


OF    THE  * 


OF    THE 


^BPSi^gsi  §j®^®esi 


CONTAINING 


A    DESCRIPTION    OF    FIFTY-TWO    MEDICAL    PLANTS,    WITH    THEIR 
NAMES,  QUALITIES,  PROPERTIES,  HISTORY,  &.C, 


WITH 


REMARKS   ON   NEARLY   500   SUBSTITUTES 


AND 


FIFTY-TWO  COLOURED  PLATES. 


By  Professor  RAFINESQUE,  A.  M. 


PHILADELPHIA 
1841. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Botanical  Piinciples,    -             -  -             -                 1 

Chemical  Principles,          -             -  -             -          6 

Medical  Principles,      -             -  -             -                 8 

Medical  Properties,             -             -  -             -        11 

Table  of  Properties,    -              -  -             -               13 

Explanation  of  Botanical  Terms,    -  -             -        22 

Agrimony,    -                -             -  -             -               34 

American  Senna,    -             -          ,  '  -             -        93 

Alum  Root,      -            -             -  -             -             1841 

American  Hemlock,            -             -  -             -      107 

Bitter  Dogbane,            -             .  .             .               49 

Bear-berry,             -             -             -  -             -        57 

Bitterwort,       -----  61 

Broadleaf  Asarabacca,         -             -  -             -        70 

Barberry  Bush,             -            .  -             .               83 

Black  Cohosh,        -             -             -  -             -        85 

Blue  Cohosh,              -             .  -             .               97 

Buttonwood  Shrub,             -  -             .100 

Bind  Weed,     -----  123 
Bonesett,                -----      174 

Blooming  Spurge,        ^            -  .            .             181 

Black  Henbane,                  -             -  -             -       255 

Camomile  (wild),  -            -             -  -             -        44 

Common  Hemlock,      -  '          -  -            -             118 

Columbo,               -             -            -  -            -      196 

Creeping  Pollom,         -            -  -            -            202 
Common  Hops,    -----      246 


CONTENTS. 

Dogwood,        -             -  -             -             -             131 

Ditany,      -             -  -            -             -             -      136 

Dropwort,        -             -  -             .             -            224 

Eye  wort,                -  -             -             -             -      251 

Fleabane,         -             -  -             -            -             162 

Goldthread             -  -             -             -             -      127 

Gentian,           .             .  .             .             .             208 

Leatherwood,         •  -             -             -             -      158 

Liverwort,        -----  238 

Maidenhair,             -  -             -             -             -        30 

Mealy  Starwort,           -  -            -             .               37 

Pleurisy  Root,       -  -             -             -             -        74 

Pennyroyal,     -             -  -             -             -             231 

Persimon  Tree,     -  -             -             -             -      153 

Sweet  Flag,     -             .  *         -             .             -               25 

Sorrel  Tree,           -  -             -             -             -        41 

Spikenard,        -----  43 

Stone  Root,           -  -             -             -             -       1 1 1 

Sweet  Fern,    -             -  -             -             -             115 

Strawberry,          -  -             -             -             -       189 

Spotted  Cranesbill,      -  -             -             -             215 

Sneezewort,          -  -             .              -             -      235 

Three-leaf  Arum,        .  -             .             _               66 

Thorn  Apple,       -  -             -             -             -      146 

Winter  Shield,            -  -             .             -               90 

Worm-seed  Goose  Foot,  -  -             -             -      103 

White  Avens,              -  -             .             -             220 

Witch  Hazel,       -  -             -             -             -      227 

Yellow  Indigo,             -  .             .             .               76 

Yellow  Lady's  Slipper,  -            .-             -             .      140 

Yellow  Snake  Leaf,    -  -            -            -            168 


IIVTRODUCTIOX. 


1.  The  Science  of  Botany  was  at  all  times 
intimately  connected  with  medical  knowledge. 

2.  Several  ancient  nations,  such  as  the  Gre- 
cians, Romans,  Hindoos,  Chinese,  &c.  consi- 
dered Medical  Botany  as  equivalent  to  both 
botanical  and  medical  knowledge. 

3.  Medicine  was  then,  and  is  still  among 
rude  nations,  nothing  more  than  the  application 
of  an  empirical  knowledge  of  vegetable  sub- 
stances. 

4.  Thence  the  usual  vulgar  division  of  Plants, 
into  the  five  great  Classes  of  Aliments,  Sim- 
ples, Poisons,  Flowers  and  Weeds,  or  ali- 
mentary, medical,  poisonous^  ornamental  and 
useless  plants. 

5.  At  the  revival  of  learning  in  Europe,  this 
notion  being  general,  the  first  works  on  Botany, 
were  of  couise  mere  sketches  of  Medical  Bo- 
tany,  and  comments  on  Grecian  or  Roman  wri- 
ters. 

6.  When  Tournefort  and  LinnsBus,  about  a 
century  ago,  became  botanical  reformers,  and 
made  Botany  a  separate  Science,  their  efforts 
and  improvements  were  resisted  by  those  who 
at  all  times  contend  against  useful  innovations. 


II  INTRODUCTION. 

7.  Linnseus  in  his  Materia  Metlica,  gave  a 
niodel  of  systematical  Medical  Botany,  equally 
concise,  perspicuous  and  accurate;  but  desti- 
tute  of  the  help  of  figures. 

8.  This  model  was  followed  by  Schoepf  in 
his  Materia  Medica  of  North  x\merica,  the 
first  general  work  on  our  medical  plants,  pub- 
lished in  Germany  and  in  Latin  towards  1787* 
This  small  work  of  Schoepf  has  never  been 
translated  nor  republished  in  America^  although 
highly  deserving  of  it. 

9.  When  America  was  settled,  the  native 
tribes  were  in  possession  of  many  valuable  ve- 
getable remedies,  discovered  by  long  experi- 
ence, the  knowledge  of  which  they  gradually 
imparted  to  their  neighbours. 

10.  This  knowledge  partly  adopted  even  as 
far  as  Europe,  and  partly  rejected  by  medical 
skepticks,  became  scattered  through  our  country 
in  the  hands  of  country  practitioners,  Herba- 
lists, Empirics  and  Botanists. 

11.  Schoepf  collected  his  materials  from  them, 
and  noticed  about  three  hundred  and  sixty  plants 
as  medical;  but  he  did  not  go  every  where,  nor 
exhaust  the  subject,  since  nearly  double  that 
number  are  actually  in  common  use  in  different 
States  of  the  Union. 

±2.  Since  the  United  States  have  become  an 
independent  and  flourishing  nation,  much  has 
been  done  to  teach  and  spread  correct  medical 
knowledge. 

13.  The  establishment  of  Medical  Schools, 
Chairs  of  Materia  Medica,  of  Medical  and 
Systematical  Botany,  Medical  and  Botanic 
Gardens,  Infirmaries,  Hospitals,  have  largely 


INTRODUCTION.  Ill 

contributed  to  impart  Medical  and   Botanical 
knowledge,  through  the  professional  class. 

14.  This  purpose  has  been  aided  by  nume- 
rous publications  of  learned  Physicians  and 
Botanists,  Medical  Works,  Pamphlets  and 
Journals,  Pharmacopeias,  Dispensatories,  In- 
augural Theses,  &c. 

15.  Notwithstanding  all  these  means,  it  is  a 
positive  and  deplorable  fact,  that  but  few  medi- 
cal practitioners,  apply  themselves  to  the  Study 
of  Botany,  and  therefore  are  deprived  of  the 
aid  of  comparative  Medical  Botany. 

16.  It  is  not  less  certain,  but  still  more  de- 
plorable that  beyond  the  immediate  sphere  of 
medical  knowledge,  the  majority  of  the  people 
are  yet  in  prey  to  medical  credulity,  supersti- 
tion and  delusions,  in  which  they  are  confirmed 
by  the  repeated  failures  of  Theorists,  and  the 
occasional  success  of  Empirical  Rivals. 

17.  Even  in  large  cities  and  in  the  centre  of 
medical  light,  Empirics  are  thriving,  because 
they  avail  themselves  of  the  resources  aflbrded 
by  active  plants,  often  neglected  or  unknown  to 
the  regular  practitioners. 

18.  It  is  not  perhaps  so  well  known  that  there 
are  in  this  Age  and  in  the  United  States,  Ame- 
rican Marabouts  who  like  the  Marabouts  of 
the  wilds  of  Africa,  attempt  in  some  remote 
placesj  to  cure  diseases  by  charms,  prayers, 
blowing,  spitting,  &c. 

19.  It  is  therefore  needful  to  spread  still 
further  correct  medical  knowledge;  and  the 
state  of  medical  science  is  such  in  the  United 
States,  as  to  require  a  greater  diffusion  of  the 


IV  INTRODUCTION, 

acquired  knowledge,  aided  by  freedom  of  en- 
quiry, liberal  views,  and  mutual  forbearance. 

20,  The  practice  of  medicine  is  now  exer- 
cised in  the  United  States  by  three  sets  of  men 
or  Classes  of  Practitioners.  1.  The  Rationals, 
S.  the  Theorists,  and  3.  the  Empirics. 

SI.  The  Rational  medical  men  are  liberal 
and  modest,  learned  or  well  informed,  neither 
intolerant  nor  deceitful,  and  ready  to  learn  or 
impart  information.  They  comprise  the  Im- 
provers, Kclectics,  and  Exjperiinentalists, 

22,  The  Improvers  study  nature  and  the  hu- 
man  frame,  write  their  observations,  and  im- 
prove medical  knowledge. 

23.  The  Eclectics  are  those  who  select  and 
adopt  in  practice,  whatever  is  found  most  bene- 
ficial, and  who  change  their  prescriptions  ac- 
cording to  emergencies,  circumstances  and  ac- 
quired knowledge. 

24.  While  the  Experimentalists  are  those 
who  are  directed  by  experience  and  experi- 
ments,  observations,  dissections  and  facts. 

25,  But  the  Theorists  are  often  illiberal, 
intolerant,  proud  and  conceited ;  they  follow  a 
peculiar  theory  and  mode  of  practice,  with  little 
deviation,  employing  but  few  vegetable  reme- 
dies, and  enlisting  under  the  banner  of  a  teacher 
or  sect. 

2Q,  They  are  divided  into  many  Sects,  al- 
ways at  war  among  themselves  and  their  rivals : 
such  are  the  Brownists,  Galenists,  JMesme^ 
Tiansj  SJceptickSf  Chemicalists,  CalomelistSf 
Entomists,  &c. 

27,  The  Empirics  are  commonly  illiterate, 
ignorant,  deceitful  and  reserved :  they  follow  a 


INTRODUCTION.  Y 

secret  or  absurd  mode  of  practice,  or  deal  in 
patent  remedies. 

28.  They  include  the  Herbalists,  vulgarly 
called  Indian  or  Root  Doctors,  and  the  Steam 
Doctors,  who  follow  the  old  practice  of  the  na- 
tives, the  Qiiacks  or  dealers  in  Nostrums,  the 
Patent  Doctors,  the  Prescrihers  of  receipts, 
the  Marabouts,  &c. 

S9.  All  these  classes  need  instruction  on  the 
natural  knowledge  of  medical  substances,  and 
it  ought  to  be  afforded  to  them,  that  they  may 
become  properly  acquainted  with  those  which 
they  employ  or  may  avail  themselves  of. 

30.  Medical  Sciences  have  lately  been  widely 
enlarged,  by  borrowing  the  help  of  all  the  Na- 
tural Sciences;  and  the  enlightened  physicians 
begin  to  avail  themselves  of  all  the  materials 
they  can  command,  rendering  all  the  Sciences 
subservient  or  auxiliaries  to  their  pursuits. 

31.  By  Botany,  the  great  majority  of  medi- 
cal Substances  are  ascertained  and  become 
available:  while  the  study  of  natural  aflRnities 
enables  to  detect;  and  compare  botanical  and 
medical  Equivalents. 

32.  Medical  Botany  teaching  to  know  and 
appreciate  the  greatest  number  of  articles  em- 
ployed in  Materia  Medica,  is  become  indispen- 
sable to  the  enlightened  physician. 

83.  Vegetable  Chemistry  analyses  vegetable 
substances,  discovers  their  active  principles,  re- 
lative medical  value,  and  ascertains  the  equi- 
valent or  incompatible  substances. 

34«.  Even  Pharmacy  is  become  a  science,  by 
the  aid  of  Botany  and  Chemistry.  Druggists 
and  Pbarmacians  who  sell  vegetable  Articles  or 

A   o 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

Drugs  ought  to  be  botanically  acquainted  with 
them,  so  as  to  distinguish  the  genuine  kinds^ 
and  detect  the  frauds  or  blunders  of  the  collec- 
tors and  herbalists. 

3.^.  Works  on  Medical  Botany  are  of  two 
kinds,  with  or  without  figures.  This  last  kind 
includes  all  the  Materia  Medicas,  Dispensa- 
tories, Pharmacologies,  Pharmacopeias,  &c. 
which  try  to  convey  the  knowledge  of  medical 
substances  by  mere  descriptions. 

S6.  The  other  kind,  and  the  most  useful,  em- 
ploy, Iconography  or  figures,  besides  descrip- 
tive references,  to  give  a  complete  knowledge 
of  the  officinal  plants:  such  are  the  Herhals, 
Medical  Botanies,  Medical  Floras,  &c. 

37.  A  Critical  List  shall  be  given  of  such 
Works  or  Essays  relating  to  our  Plants,  which 
have  been  consulted:  but  the  three  principal 
works  with  figures,  deserve  perhaps  a  separate 
notice. 

38.  Bigelow  and  W.  Barton  published  some 
years  ago,  and  towards  the  same  time,  two  vo- 
luminous and  expensive  Works  on  Medical 
Botany.  Barton's  Work  in  two  volumes  quarto, 
contains  only  fifty  plants  and  figures,  and  Bige- 
low's  sixty  in  three  volumes  quarto. 

39.  Several  plants  are  described  and  figured 
in  both  works,  reducing  the  total  number  of 
medical  plants  given  to  about  eighty,  for  which 
the  price  is  about  forty  dollars  or  half  a  dollar 
for  every  plant. 

40.  These  imperfect  and  costly  works  have 
each  their  merit,  and  although  not  free  from 
errors  and  omissions,  are  useful  assistants  to 
those  who  can  afford  to  buy  them.     Bigelow 's 


INTRODUCTION.  Vll 

is  the  most  learned,  accurate  and  useful,  while 
Barton's  has  often  the  best  figures. 

41.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  these  authors  by 
following  the  expensive  plan  of  Woodville's 
Medical  Botany  liave  lessened  their  utility  and 
public  circulation. 

42.  Some  years  before  the  above  publications, 
a  herbalist  or  spurious  Botanist,  Samuel  Henry, 
printed  in  New  York,  1814,  a  Medical  Herbal, 
comprising  in  one  octavo  volume  of  five  dollars, 
about  one  hundred  sixty  medical  plants,  with 
small  fictitious  figures. 

43.  This  Work  is  merely  mentioned  here  to 
warn  against  it.  It  is  a  worthless  book,  with 
incorrect  names,  wrong  descriptions,  erroneous 
indications,  and  figures  mostly  fictitious  or 
misapplied.  It  is  of  no  medical  nor  botanical 
account;  yet  it  contains  some  of  the  Empirical 
concealed  knowledge,  available  in  a  few  in- 
stances. 

44.  Works  of  general  utility  ought  to  be  ac- 
curate, complete,  potable  and  cheap.  Such 
alone  can  spread  the  required  correct  know- 
ledge, and  suit  every  class  of  readers. 

45.  The  popular  knowledge  of  the  natural 
sciences  has  been  prevented  in  the  United 
States,  by  the  first  works  published  on  them, 
having  followed  the  model  of  the  splendid  Eu- 
ropean publications  intended  for  the  wealthy  or 
public  libraries. 

46.  It  is  time  that  we  should  return  to  the 
pristine  Linnean  simplicity,  and  by  the  addition 
of  cheap  but  correct  figures  of  objects,  engraved 
on  copper,  zinc,  pewter,  stone  or  wood,  speak 
to  the  eyes  as  well  as  the  miod. 


Till  INTRODUCTION. 

47.  Such  is  the  aim  of  the  actual  work,  which 
is  intended  as  a  portable  manual  of  Medical 
Botany,  for  the  daily  use  of  medical  Students, 
Physicians,  Druggists,  Pharmacians,  Chemists, 
Botanists,  Florists,  Herbalists,  Collectors  of 
herbs,  heads  of  families,  Infirmaries,  &c. 

48.  It  was  many  years  in  contemplation,  and 
publicly  proposed  ever  since  1816.  It  is  now 
offered  to  the  public,  as  a  humble  attempt  to 
render  one  of  the  popular  branches  of  medical 
and  natural  science,  attainable  and  available 
by  all. 

49.  The  author  has  been  collecting  his  mate- 
rials for  many  years,  while  travelling  through 
fourteen  states  of  the  Union,  and  lecturing  on 
medical  plants  in  Transylvania  University. 

50.  His  qualifications  for  the  task  result  from 
fifteen  years  of  botanical  and  medical  obser- 
vations and  researches,  and  8000  miles  of  bo- 
tanical travels,  wherein  he  diligently  enquired 
and  elicited  from  the  learned  and  the  illiterate, 
the  result  of  their  practicj^  experience. 

51.  He  has  never  despised  knowledge  because 
imparted  by  an  uncouth  mouth,  and  has  often 
made  experiments  on  himself  and  others  to  test 
peculiar  facts. 

52.  Several  Physicians  and  Botanists  in  Phi- 
ladelphia, Baltimore,  Washington  City,  Wil- 
mington, Winchester,  Alexandria,  Bethlehem, 
Pittsburg,  Wheeling,  Lexington,  Bowling- 
green,  Sandusky,  &c.  have  at  different  times 
communicated  to  him  additional  facts,  or  con- 
firmed the  properties  of  some  plants, 

53.  He  feels  particularly  indebted  to  the  ob- 
liging kindness  of  several  friends  for  many  im- 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

portant  facts  or  valuable  commuiiications,  for 
which  he  feels  happy  to  tender  this  public  tes- 
timony of  gratitude. 

54.  They  are  Dr.  Mease,  and  Z.  Collins  of 
Philadelphia. 

Drs.  Short  and  Brown  of  Lexington. 

Dr.  Eoff  of  Wheeling. 

Dr.  MuUer  of  New  Harmony. 

Dr.  Drake  of  Cincinnati. 

Dr.  Crockett  of  Frankfort. 

Dr.  Graham  of  Harrodsburg. 

Dr.  Mac  Williams  of  Washington  City. 

Dr.  Hales  of  Troy. 

Dr.  Lawrence  of  New  Lebanon. 

Drs.  L.  Beck  and  Tully  of  Albany. 

Drs.  Mitcliell  and  Torrey  of  New  York. 

55.  It  has  been  ascertained  that  there  are 
nearly  six  hundred  medical  plants  actually 
known  and  used  as  such  in  the  United  States: 
many  of  which  are  merely  medical  equivalents. 

5Q,  This  number  being  too  great  for  the  pur- 
pose of  a  manual,  one  hundred  and  five  of  the 
most  active  and  efficient  medical  Types  have 
been  selected,  figured  and  described. 

5y*  The  others  have  been  referred  to  these 
as  substitutes  or  succedanea,  when  they  possess 
nearly  the  same  ostensible  qualities  and  pro- 
perties. In  fact  they  are  mostly  used  for  each 
other  throughout  the  country. 

58.  Those  selected  include  all  the  species  of 
Bigelow  and  W.  Barton,  with  twenty. five  addi- 
tional species.  It  had  been  advised  to  reduce 
the  whole  number  to  fifty  active  plants;  but 
such  a  reduction  would  have  left  out  many  va- 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

liiable  plants  and  not  offered  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  generic  Types  or  typical  Equivalents. 

59.  When  a  Genus  contains  several  medical 
species,  only  one  is  figured,  unless  their  pro- 
perties are  quite  different,  and  the  others  are 
mentioned  with  some  remarks  as  equivalent 
substitutes.  The  plants  of  genera  not  figured 
are  inserted  in  the  general  table  or  appendix. 

60.  The  Botanical  alphabetic  order  has  been 
adopted,  as  the  most  easy,  obvious  and  service- 
able, since  no  scientific  arrangement  could  have 
been  equally  available. 

61.  The  medical  arrangements  are  as  nume- 
rous as  the  writers  on  Materia  Medica.  Every 
plant  having  commonly  many  properties,  cannot 
be  classed  into  any  definite  medical  order,  but 
should  belong  to  several  at  the  same  time. 

62.  The  defective  and  indelicate  sexual  sys- 
tem of  Linnaeus  is  now.  too  obsolete  for  the  state 
of  the  science. 

63.  The  natural  method  would  have  been 
preferred,  if  the  novelty  of  the  attempt  had  not 
been  anticipated  as  an  obstacle  to  practical  use. 

64.  Most  of  the  figures  have  been  drawn  by 
the  author,  and  a  few  reduced  from  Bigelow  or 
Barton ;  they  have  been  engraved  and  printed 
in  a  style  suited  to  the  assumed  purpose. 

65.  For  the  sake  of  perspicuity  and  conveni- 
ence every  article  is  divided  into  sections.  The 
names  are  at  the  head,  and  the  Botanical  name 
is  the  first. 

6Q,  The  English,  French  and  German  names 
are  given,  next  the  officinal  names  used  iu 
Pharmacopeias,  and  last  the  vulgar  or  common 
names  of  the  country,  which  are  variable  in  al- 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

most  every  section  or  state.  When  a  plant  had 
received  several  botanical  names,  the  obsolet© 
are  given  as  synonyms. 

67.  After  the  names  follow  the  botanical  and 
medical  authorities  connected,  the  generic  and 
specific  characters,  the  complete  botanical  des- 
criptions, the  locality  or  native  places  of  growth, 
with  the  general  history  of  the  genus  and  spe- 
cies, forming  the  botanical  sections  of  each  ar- 
ticle. 

68.  The  medical  division  contains  the  sen- 
sible and  chemical  qualities  of  the  plant,  with 
the  medical  properties,  including  uses,  doses 
and  preparations. 

69.  Equivalent  substitutes,  and  various  re- 
marks conclude  the  article.  The  plan  of  adding 
medical  substitutes  is  borrowed  from  the  ex- 
cellent French  work  of  Peyrilhe  on  Medical 
Natural  History. 

70.  The  knowledge  of  those  medical  Equi- 
Talents  will  be  found  very  useful,  when  the  re- 
quired plants  are  not  obtainable,  while  some 
substitute  may  perhaps  be  procured.  It  fol- 
lows of  course  tiiat  each  Equivalent  is  vice- 
versa  a  mutual  substitute  in  most  cases:  although 
the  plants  are  seldom  identical  in  power  and 
activity. 

71.  Botanical  accuracy  has  been  strictly  at- 
tended to  throughout,  and  all  the  descriptions 
are  original.  To  avoid  other  novelties,  but  few 
improvements  have  been  attempted  or  sugges- 
ted in  nomenclature  or  criticism.  The  locali- 
ties are  however  greatly  extended. 

72.  In  the  medical  part,  brevity  has  been 
adopted;  without  impairing  accuracy.     All  the 


XII  INTRODUCTION. 

matter  of  Schoepf  and  subsequent  writers  has 
been  incorporated.  Nothing  essential  has  been 
omitted,  but  discussions  are  avoided,  and  ex- 
periments merely  stated  in  result. 

73.  This  order  and  plan  has  enabled  to  give 
a  complete  knowledge  of  the  objects  in  all  their 
botanical,  medical,  chemical  and  historical 
points  of  view:  while  the  general  principles  of 
the  science  are  prefixed  as  preliminary  guides* 

74.  If  this  labour  may  suit  all  the  classes  of 
readers  and  all  those  who  employ  medical 
plants,  the  wishes  and  object  of  the  author  will 
be  fulfilled. 


GENERAL   PRIXCIPLES 


OF 


MEDZCAA    BOTANT^. 


FIRST  SECTIOX-BOTANICAL  PRINCIPLES. 

I.  BOTANY  is  the  science  and  knowledge  of  vegetable  bodies 
or  plants. 

2*  A  botanical  species  is  formed  by  the  collective  association 
of  all  the  individual  bodies,  which  have  a  similar  form. 

3.  VARIETIES  are  mere  occasional  deviations  from  this  spe- 
cific typical  I'orm. 

4.  All  the  individuals  of  the  same  species,  have  the  same 
forms,  qualities  and  properties,  but  modified  in  some  varieties. 

5.  The  principal  branches  of  Botany,  are,  GLOssotoGT,  No- 
menclature, CLASSIFICATTOir,  DESCRIPTIVE    BOTAXT,  BOTANICAL 

HISTORY  and  Philosophy. 

6.  Glossology  gives  names  or  Botanical  terms  to  every  Organ 
of  plants,  and  to  all  their  modifications  of  form  or  structure. 

7.  These  names  must  be  sought  for  in  special  botanical  works; 
it  is  beyond  this  scope  to  notice  them  here,  except  in  general. 

8.  NoMEifCLATURE  applies  names  to  every  species,  and  succes- 
sive groups  of  species,  referring  their  Synonyms  to  each. 

9.  These  names  derived  chiefly  from  the  Latin  and  Greek 
languages,  become  universal,  and  common  to  all  languages  and 
nations. 

10.  Synonyms  are  of  wo  kinds,  1.  Erroneous  or  obsolete 
botanical  names,  2.  Local  or  variable  Vulgar  names  employed 
by  each  nation. 

II.  Classification  teaches  how  to  co-ordinate  the  species  in 
Genera,  orders  and  classes  by  methodical  or  systematical  arrange- 
ments. 

B 


2  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

12.  Genera  are  groups  of  species  having  the  same  essential 
Organs  of  fructifi cation  or  reproduction,  and  affording  the  same 
collective  characters  in  their  structure  and  form. 

13.  Orders  and  Classes  are  successive  groups  of  Genera  af- 
fording some  similar  general  characters.  Families,  Sections, 
Subclasses  are  Divisions  of  these  groups  based  upon  some  pecu- 
liar considerations. 

14.  A  Method  studies,  seeks  and  preserves  iall  the  natural 
affinities  of  plants,   grouping  together,  those  which  have  the- 
greatest  resemblance. 

15.  SisTEi^rs  follow  a  peculiar  theory,  or  are  based  upon  a  sm- 
gle  consideration,  without  attending  to  natural  affinities. 

16.  Descriptive  B.OTANx  gives  accurate  descriptions  of  all  the 
species  and  their  varieties.  Genera  and  Groups  of  Genera. 

IT.  These  Descriptions  consist  of  two  modes  or  parts  1. 
Complete  Descriptions,  2.  Defhtitioits  or  abridged  Descrip- 
tions, being  the  analytical  epitome  of  the  principal  descriptive 
characters. 

18.  Botanical  history  includes  many  details  and  considera- 
tions comprising  the  Etymology  of  names,  mode  of  growth,  time 
of  flowering  and  seeding,  cultivation,  collection,  discovering, 
introducing,  authors  who  have  described  plants,  their  biography, 
bibliography  or  knowledge  of  Botanical  Books,  criticism,  &c. 

19.  The  Locality  of  plants  is  a  branch  of  Botanical  history, 
which  has  lately  been  separated  and  called  Botanical  Geogra- 
THY  ;  it  teaches  the  soils,  climates  and  places  where  plants^grow 
spontaneously,  and  also  their  migrations,  naturalization,  &c. 

20.  Botanical  Philosophy  considers  plants  under  all  their 
points  of  view,  which  are  many ;  forming  the  following  branches  ; 

1.  Organology,  studying  their  organization. 

2.  Physiology — their  vital  functions. 

3.  Anatomy — their  internal  structure. 

4.  Chemistry — their  component  elements. 

5.  Pathology — their  diseases, 

6.  Cultivation — their  culture. 

7.  Utility — their  useful  or  noxious  properties. 

21.  The  ORGANS  are  external  or  internal ;  the  internal  be- 
long  to  botanical  anatomy :  the  external  or  the  most  conspicuous 


GENERAL   PRINCIPLES.  3 

afford  the  obvious  descriptive  characters,  and  form  several  series 
according  to  their  vital  use,  as  follows  : 

22.  NuTBiTivE  Orgaks  are  the  Cotyledons,  Roots,  Leaves, 
&c.  The  Roots  are  commonly  under  ground,  and  the  Leaves 
above  :  while  the  Cotyledons  are  within  the  seed. 

23.  Reproductive  Organs  which  are  the  Flowers,  Fruits  and 
Seeds,  with  the  Buds,  Bulbs,  and  Gems. 

24.  Upon  the  flowers,  fruit  and  seeds  are  chiefly  based  the 
generic  and  other  general  characters  ;  being  present  and  conspi 
CU0U3  in  every  plant  except  those  of  the  lowest  orders. 

25.  The  Roots,  Leaves,  Flowers,  and  Fruits  assume  a  great 
variety  of  shapes,  which  have  all  peculiar  names,  and  off'er  the 
specific  characters  and  distinctions  usually  resorted  to. 

26.  Upholding  Organs  such  as  the  stem  and  branches,  the 
Scapes  or  leafless  radical  stems.  Petioles,  Pedicles,  Nerves,  kc. 

27.  Preserving  Organs  as  the  Barks,  Cuticles,  Sec. 

28.  CiRcuLATivE  Organs  which  are  the  Wood,  Liber,  Pith, 
Fibres,  Vessels,  &c.  The  woody  plants  are  called  Ttees  or 
Shrubs. 

29.  Secretoby  Organs,  such  as  Glands,  Pores,  Hairs,  &c. 

30.  AncEssoiiT-  OnoAvs  are  the  thorns,  bracteolcs,  Stipules, 
tendrils,  tubercles,  down,  wool,  &c. 

31.  Inflorescence  is  the  mode  in  which  the  flowers  are  dis- 
posed and  unfolded. 

32.  The  essential  parts  of  the  flowers  are  the  Stamina  or  Sta- 
mens and  Pistils  :  a  complete  flower  has  both ;  when  they  are 
separate,  the  flowers  are  called  Staminate  or  Pistilate. 

33.  The  essential  part  of  the  Stamen  is  the  Anther;  when  the 
filament  or  support  is  missing,  the  anther  is  called  sessile. 

34.  The  essential  parts  of  the  Pistil  are  the  Germ  or  Germeit, 
and  the  Stigma.  The  germ  is  the  bud  of  the  fruit ;  it  is  usually 
sessile;  when  it  has  a  support  or  Podogtne,  it  is  called  stipitated. 

35.  The  Germ  is  usually  free  and  central ;  but  when  it  is 
connected  or  coherent  with  the  perigone,  it  is  called  adherent  or 
inferior,  and  the  perigone  becomes  symphogyne  or  superior, 

36.  The  Stigma  is  a  pore,  gland  or  appendage  upon  the 
Germ,  single  or  multiple,  sessile  or  supported  by  a  base  called 
Style. 


4  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

o7.  The  accessory  parts  of  the  flowers  are  the  Pebigone,  Nec- 
TAHiES  and  Bracteoees. 

38.  The  Perigojie  around  the  Stamina  and  Pistils  is  either 
single,  double  or  multiple.  When  single  it  retains  that  name  ; 
but  w  hen  double  the  exterior  is  called  Calix,  and  the  interior 
Conoi  or  Coroexa.  In  the  multiple  perigotie,  the  inner  range 
is  the  trueCoROE. 

39.  The  segments  of  the  perigone  and  calix  are  called  Sepals, 
or  folioles,  and  those  of  the  Corel  Petals. 

40.  The  Nectaries  are  Glands,  scales,  crowns,  disks  and  other 
appendages  within  the  flower. 

41.  The  Bracteoles  are  small  leaves,  scales,  involucres,  8tc. 
around  the  flowers,  when  they  resemble  a  perigone  and  sur- 
round many  flowers,  they  are  called  Perianthe  or  common  calix. 

42.  Plants  being  organized  bodies  like  Animals,  perform  the 
same  vital  functions,  three  of  which  are  essential  to  life,  and 
common  to  all  plants,  1.  Nutuitiox,  2.  Growth,  3.  Reproduc- 
tion." 

43.  The  others  are  l.'ss  essential,  or  less  evident;  they  are 
1.  Circulation,  2.  Respiration,  3.  Secretion,  4.  Irritability,  5.  Ca- 
lorification, 6.  Sulidifictttion,  &c- 

44.  Plants  are  also  like  Animals  subject  to  Sleep,  hyemal  Tor- 
por, Diseases,  Necropsy  and  Death. 

45.  The  ANATOMICAL  structure  of  plants  offers  a  mul'.itude 
of  internal  apparatus  (about  thirty  kinds)  formed  by  the  aggre- 
gation of  vessels,  fibres  and  tissues. 

46'.  The  principal  are  the  Cellular,  fibrose,  glandular,  absor- 
bing, moving,  vital,  nutritive,  reproductive,  &,c. 

47.  CHEMICAL  BOTANY  detects  almost  all  the  simple  ele- 
rnents  in  the  vegetable  substances  :  the  most  abundant  and  pre- 
vailing are  however.  Carbon,  Oxigen,  Hydrogen,  Azote,  Potas- 
um,  Sodium,  Calcium,  Sulphur,  &.c. 

48.  The  coiiipound  chemical  bodies  absorbed  or  formed  by 
vegetable  Life  are  very  numerous,  the  principal  are  Water,  Air, 
Oils,  Acids,  Aromes,  Tannin,  Extractive,  Alkalis,  Resins,  Muci- 
lage, Sugar,  Fecula,  &c. 

49.  Diseases  in  plants  are  as  numerous  as  among  Animals,  if 
not  Men  ;  they  have  only  been  attended  to  as  yet  with  fruit  trees, 
and  useful  cultivated  plants;  many  are  easily  curable. 


gi;neral  principles.  5 

50.  Agriculture  and  Horticulture  are  two  arts,  having  for  spe- 
cial object  the  cultivation  of  useful  or  ornamental  plants. 

51.  Thesearts  are  closely  connected  with  Botany,  from  which 
they  borrow  their  materials.  The  general  cultivation  of  medical 
plants  in  medical  gardens  is  highly  desirable. 

52.  Useful  plants  have  three  kinds  of  properties,  1.  Alimen- 
tary, 2.  Economical,  3.  Medical.  The  noxious  and  poisonous 
properties  are  included  with  the  medical. 

53.  We  are  dependent  upon  vegetables  for  our  food  anddrink» 
our  solid  and  liquid  aliments;  they  furnish  us  materiah  forour 
dress,  dyes,  fuel,  buildings,  arts  and  manufactures. 

54.  Every  plant  has  two  names  and  two  characters,  both  Ge- 
neric and  Specific. 

55.  The  Generic  name  is  the  first  and  !^  a  substantive,  the 
Specific  follows  and  is  an  adjective  appellation. 

56.  The  Generic  character  is  the  collective  definition  ef  the 
principal  organic  indications  of  each  Genus,  which  constitute 
the  TYPE  of  the  Genus. 

57.  The  Specific  character  is  an  abridged  description  of  all  the 
individuals  forming  a  species,  and  it  constitutes  the  TYPE  of  the 
species* 

58.  Orders  and  Families,  Classes  and  Sections  have  also  sub- 
stantive names,  and  peculiar  characters  assigned  to  each. 

59.  Three  great  natural  classes  constitute  the  vegetable  King- 
don,  l.DlCOTTLES,  2.  MONOCOTTLES,  3.  AcOTTLES. 

60.  The  DICOTYLES  are  Vascular  plants,  with  concentric 
fibres  and  vessels,  and  a  bilobe  or  multilobe  germination.  They 
comprise  two  thirds  of  all  the  plants,  shrubs  and  trees. 

61.  The  MONOCOTYLES  are  Vascular  plants  with  fascicu- 
lar fibres  and  vessels,  and  a  lateral  unilobe  germination.  ^Such 
are  the  Palms,  Lilies,  Grasses,  Ferns,  and  Mosses. 

62.  The  ACOTYLES  are  Cellular  plants  without  vessels  nor 
fibres,  and  destitute  of  lobes  in  the  germination.  Such  are  the 
Lichens,  Algae  and  Fungi. 

63.  These  natural  classes  may  be  divided  in  other  less  natural 
classes,  and  these  into  natural  orders  and  families,  by  the  botani- 
cal process  of  analysis. 

64.  The  natural  orders  of  Linn  8eus  were  fifty-eight,  Jussien  has 

•n  9 


6  genehal  principles, 

enumerated  one  hundred,  now  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
are  known  or  designated. 

65.  Many  of  these  being  rather  natural  families  may  be  reduced 
to  about  sixty-four  great  natural  orders,  including  upwards  of  two 
hundred  natural  families.  « 

66.^Each  natural  family  and  order  has  some  qualities  and  pro- 
perties, common  to  all  their  genera,  and  may  therefore  serve  of 
Medical  Indication. 


SECOND      SECTION-CHEMICAli    PRINCIPLES    OR 
PRINCIPLES    OF    BOTANICAL   CHEMISTRY. 

1.  The  knowledge  of  the  substances  which  enter  into  the 
bodily  composition  of  Plants,  form  a  branch  of  Chemical  Sciences 
called  Vegetable  Chemistry. 

2.  This  branch'of  Chemistr)^  is  intimately  connected  with  Me- 
dical Botany,  and  becomes  an  essential  part  of  it. 

3.  By  it,  the  three  Sciences  of  Botany,  Chemistry,  and  Patho- 
logy are  rendered  subservient  to  each  other. 

4.  Chemistry  borrows  from  Botany  the  true  knowledge  of  the 
Plants,  while  Chemistry  teaches  Botany  the  nature  of  the  Sub- 
stances in  these  plants, 

5.  The  Medical  Sciences  receive  from  Vegetable  Chemistry 
the  more  intimate  knowledge  of  the  greatest  proportion  of  Sub- 
stances employed  in  practice. 

6.  Chemistry  acquires  this  knowledge  by  tests,  analytical  de- 
compositions, and  reaching  the  first  Elements  or  elementary 
bodies  evolved  in  the  plants. 

7.  Vegetable  life  assimilates  or  produces  nearly  all  the  Natural 
Bodies  and  creates  many  Substances  peculiar  to  itself. 

8.  This  is  the  foundation  of  three  ^reat  Divisions  or  Classes  in 
Vegetable  Substances  or  their  proximate  Elements. 

1.  Class.  MINERAL,  common  to  plants,  animals  and  Mine- 
rals. 

2.  Class.  ANIMAL,  foreign  to  Minerals,   but  common  to 
Plants  and  Animals. 

3.  PECULIAR.  Not  found  either  in  Animals  nor  Minerals. 


GENERAL   PRINCIPLES.  7 

9.  These  Classes  may  be  divided  into  Orders,  Genera  and  Spe- 
cies of  Chemical  Bodies,  each  possessing  peculiar  properties  and 
actions. 

10.  Vegetable  Chemistry  has  not  yet  obtained  the  same  cer- 
tainty  and  attention  as  Mineral  Chemistry.  It  is  now  emerging 
from  the  Clouds  of  ancient  errors,  and  becoming  a  Science  of  de- 
cided importance. 

11.  A  small  portion  as  yet  of  the  endless  chemical  Constituents 
of  all  the  plants,  has  become  known.  •    • 

12.  A  long  time  will  be  required  before  the  60,000  known 
plants  be  analyzed,  or  even  the  5000  Speciesof  North  America. 

13.  But  some  Substances  are  common  to  many  different  plants, 
and  each  active  Genus  has  generally  the  same  active  principles. 

14.  The  special  knowledge  of  this  branch  of  Medical  Botany 
must  be  sought  for  in  the  Chemical  Works.  We  shall  merely 
give  here  a  small  Table  of  the  principal  Orders  and  Genera, 
lately  detected  and  well  ascertained. 

15.  It  must  be  remembered  that  every  plant  contains  many 
Elementary  bodies,  and  that  these  Bodies  are  all  reducible  to 
their  pristine  Simple  Elements. 

16.  It  is  not  our  purpose  to  designate  the  properties  of  these 
Vegetable  Substances.  This  knowledge  constitutes  Medical 
Chemistry,  a  new  Science,  or  branch  of  Pharmacy. 


CHE^nCAL  TABLE. 


I.  Class— MINERAL  ELEMENTS.— 5  Orders. 

1.  Order.  SIMPLE  ETHERIAL.  G.  Caloric.  Light.  Oxi- 
gene.  Hydrogene.  Azote. 

2.  Order.  SIMPLE  and  COMBUSTIBLE.  G.  Sulphur.  Car- 
bone.  Phosphore. 

3.  Order.  SIMPLE  and  OXIDABLE.  G.  Tlie  Metals. 

4.  Order.  OXIDES.  G.  Airs.  Waters.  Limes.  Potashes. 
Alumines.  Chalybates.  Silicates,  &c. 

5.  Order.  SALTS.  G.  Carbonates.  Citrates.  Fungates.  Muri- 
ates. Malates.  Gallates.  Nitrates.  Oxalates.  Phosphates.  Sul- 
fates. Tartrates,  &c. 


8  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

II.  Class— ANIMAL  ELEMENTS— 1  Order. 

1.  O.  COMPOUNDS  of  Carbone,  Hydrogene,  Oxigene  and 
Azote.  G.  Glutten.  Albumine.  Gelatine.  Adipocire.  Fungin,  &c. 

III.  Class.— PECULIAR  ELEMENTS.— 4.  Orders. 

1.  Order.  AZOTES  or  Vegetable  Alkalies,  containing  Azote. 
3  Families.  Carbonits.  Oxigenits.  Ammonits  or  true  Alkalis.  G. 
ferment.  Narcotine.  Asparagine.  Morphium.  Quinine.  Eupato- 
rine.  Cornine.  Daturine,  &c. 

2.  Orde"r.  'ACIDS,  formed  by  Carbone,  Hydrogene,  with  Oxi- 
gene  in  excess,  G.  Acetic.  Malic.  Oxalic.  Benzoic.  Citric.  Tar- 
taric. Gallic.  Moric.  Fungic,  &c. 

3.  Order.  WATERS,  formed  by  Carbone  with  Hydrogene  and 
Oxigene  in  the  proportion  of  Water.  G.  Lignites.  Fecules.  Sac- 
charines. Gums.  Amarines.  Polychromites.  Tannines.  Extrac- 
tives. MHcilages.  &c. 

4.  Order.  OILS,  formed  by  Carbone,  Oxigene,  with  Hydrogene 
in  excess.  G.  Gluines,  Wax.  Fixed  Oils.  Aromes.  Resins.  Picrines. 
Acrines.  Camphors,  &c. 


THIRD  SECTION— MEDICAL  PRINCIPLES. 

1.  Every  vegetable  substance  produces  efTects  on  the  human 
frame  ;  but  these  effects  can  only  take  place  by  actual  contact  of 
the  parts,  or  their  effluvia. 

2.  These  effects  are  either  grateful,  or  unpleasant,  or  noxious, 
and  either  nutritive,  or  medical,  or  poisonous. 

3.  Nutritive  substances  sustain  life,  the  noxious  impair  it ; 
while  the  medical  preserve  or  restore  health. 

4.  Plants  may  be  noxious  to  man,  while  they  are  innocent 
or  nutritious  for  animals  or  cattle,  and  the  everse  may  as  ofte  n 
occur. 

5.  The  popular  belief  that  every  country  produces  simples 
suitable  to  cure  all  their  prevaiUng  local  diseases,  is  not  devoid 
of  truth. 

6.  There  are  many  modes  of  effecting  cures  by  equivalent  re- 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  9 

medies ;  but  vegetable  substances  afford  the  mildest,  most  effi- 
cient, and  most  congenial  to  the  human  frame. 

7.  A  vegetable  substance  is  called  active  when  producing 
strong  or  quick  effects,  and  inactive  or  inert,  when  producing 
weaker  or  slower  effects. 

8.  But  th&re  is  hardly  a  plant  totally  inert,  and  not  producing 
in  large  doses  some  sensation  or  effect. 

9.  Active  plants  and  substances  are  commonly  known  by  the 
senses  of  smell  or  taste :  while  inert  plants  are  scentless  and 
tasteless. 

10.  The  most  active  plants  are  not  always  the  best  for  use,  be- 
ing less  grateful  than  others,  and  more  liable  to  impair  the  func- 
tions of  life. 

11.  Poisonous  plants  are  all  available  as  medicinal,  and  often 
the  most  active  ;  but  they  are  liable  to  tiie  same  objection,  in  a 
greater  degree. 

12.  Active  and  poisonous  plants,  must  be  used  with  care  and 
judgment,  sparingly  and  in  small  doses  only. 

13.  Similar  or  consimilar  tastes  or  smells,  indicate  similar  or 
consimilar  Qualities  and  Properties. 

14.  The  sensible  QuaJitip.s  nf  plants  are  the  results  of  their  or- 
ganization, and  chemical  composition  \  their  medical  Properties 
arise  from  these  'Qualities. 

15.  Plants  of  the  same  Genus  have  commonly  the  same  quali- 
fies and  properties,  more  or  less  unfolded. 

16.  Genera  of  the  same  Natural  Family  or  Order,  have  often 
consimilar  qualities  and  properties. 

17.  Modifications  or  Deviations  from  these  two  last  rules  occur 
when  the  organization  and  locality  are  very  different. 

18.  Artificial  Systems,  like  the  sexual  system  of  Linnxus 
separating  the  most  related  Genera,  and  uniting  the  most  remote, 
cannot  indicate  medical  affinities. 

19.  Where  the  artificial  systems  coincide  with  the  natural  me- 
thod; they  may  both  answer  the  purpose  of  medical  indications. 

20.  Few  plants  possess  a  single  property  ;  many  are  commonly 
blended  in  the  same  plant. 

21.  Different  parts  of  a  plant  have  often  separate  qualities  and 
properties. 


10  GENERAL   PRINCIPLES. 

22.  Incompatible  Substances  are  seldom  or  never  found  in  the 
same  plant. 

23.  Every  plant  has  a  peculiar  and  specific  mode  of  action  on 
the  human  body,  in  health  or  disease. 

24.  Even  cong-eneric  and  consimilar  species  have  their  modi- 
fied effects  at  equal  doses,  which  a  difference  in  the  dose  may 
equalize. 

25.  The  medical  effects  of  the  same  plant  are  also  modified  by 
the  soil,  climate,  season,  and  age  ;  also  by  exhibition  and  dose. 

26.  Botanical  affinities  indicate  medical  equivalents,  which  may 
be  substituted  to  each  other. 

27.  But  Experience  alone  can  decide  if  the  substitution  will 
be  available  and  efficacious,  and  teach  when  and  how  it  ought  to 
be  made. 

28.  Vegetable  Equivalents  are  either  botanical  or  medical,  and 
each  of  three  degrees. 

29.  In  Botanical  Equivalents  these  three  degrees  are :  1st  Con- 
generic, belonging  to  the  same  genus  :  2d  Affiliated  belong- 
ing to  different  genera  of  the  same  family.  3d  Remote,  belonging 
to  remote  genera. 

8Q.  Medical  Equivalents  have  the  degrcee  of  1.  Specific  or 
having  exactly  the  same  value,  2.  Similar  or  producing  the  same 
effects,  3.  Consimilar  or  producing  effects  somewhat  different. 

31.  Evert  medical  PLANT  is  a  compound  medicine  prepared 
BY  THE  HANDS  OF  NATURE,  in  the  most  Suitable  form  for  exhibi- 
tion and  efficacy  in  suitable  cases. 

32.  Medical  substances  becoming  more  powerful  by  admixture, 
those  which  enter  by  vital  action  into  the  organs  of  plants,  are 
rendered  more  powerful  by  intimate  combination. 

33.  By  combining  several  medical  plants  in  prescriptions  their 
effect  is  increased. 

34.  Nauseous  or  noxious  plants  may  be  rendered  grateful  and 
available  by  combination  wit^  others  of  a  different  character. 

35.  But  all  combinations  mi\st  either  coincide  or  correct  each 
other,  else  they  are  superfluous  and  useless. 

36.  When  too  many  substances  are  mingled,  or  several  that  do 
not  well  coincide,  they  qften  impair  each  other. 

,3r.^The  combination  of  substances  which  exert  a  chemical  ac- 


^,.h 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  11 

tion  on  each  other,  must  be  avoided,  unless  a  peculiar  medical 
result  is  required. 

38.  When  an  unexpected  result  happens  by  a  combination  of 
substances,  it  must  be  corrected  by  suitable  changes. 

39.  The  active  principles  of  medical  plants  may  be  obtained  in 
a  concentrated  form  by  chemical  operations. 

40.  When  these  active  principles  are  obtained,  their  effects 
are  stronger  and  quicker ;  but  less  congenial  to  the  human  frame, 
than  in  their  natural  pristine  combination. 


FOURTH  SECTION-MEDICAL  PROPERTIES. 

1.  The  medical  properties  were  detected  by  chance,  or  as- 
certained by  indication,  and,confirmed  by  experience. 

2.  There  are  four  kinds  of  indications,  1.  Botanical,  2.  Che- 
mical, 3.  Medical,  4.  Evident. 

3.  Botanical  indications  have  already  been  alluded  to,  they  are 
proximate  or  remote,  and  teach  us  Botanical  Equivalents. 

4.  Chemical  indfcations  result  from  analysis  and  decompssi- 
tion  :  when  the  same  elements  and  substances  are  found  in  equal 
proportions  ;  the  presumption  must  be  that  chemical  equivalents 
have  been  detected.  ~  *• 

5.  Medical  indications  are  the  result  of  medical  inference  ; 
when  substances  act  alike  or  produce  similar  effects  in  some 
cases,  they  may  do  the  same  in  other  cases. 

^,  The  most  obvious  indications  are  however,  those  which 
arise  from  the  Evidence  of  the  sensible  qualities  of  plants. 

7 .  These  qualities  are  constituted  by  chemical  elements,  and 
evinced  to  our  senses  by  contact  or  effluvia. 

8.  Each  plant,  and  sometimes  each  part  of  a  plant,  has  a  pecu- 
liar smell  and  taste,  hardly  alike  in  any  two  of  them. 

9.  No  plant  is  absolutely  scentless  or  tasteless,  even  the  most 
insipid  evince  themselves  to  our  nose,  and  palate. 

10.  The  vegetable  Orders  and  Sapors  may  be  classed  under 
two  great  divisions,  GRATEFUL  or  UNPLEASANT. 

11.  Orders  may  be  further  divided  into  six  series,  and  one  hun- 


13  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

clred  and  fifty  Genera:  Sapors  into  ten  series  and  as  many  genera 
at  least. 

12.  The  GRATEFUL  Odors  or   Smells  indicate  wholesome' 
properties,  the  three  Series  are 

1.  Fragraxp,  indication  of  stimulants  and  sudorifics,  8cc. 

2.  Aromatic — of  stomachics,  warm  stimulants,  8ic. 

3.  Sweet — of  Pectorals,  Demulcents^  &c. 

13.  The  UNPLEASANT   Odors    indicate  active  properties, 
their  three  Series  are 

1.  Fetid,  indication  of  noxioMS  plants,  emetics,  &c. 

2.  Graveolent — of  powerful  medical  plants. 

3.  Insipid — of  Emollients,  inert  plants,  8tc. 

14.  GRATEFUL  SAPORS  or  Tastes,  belong  to  plants  of  mild 
properties.  Their  five  Series  are 

1.  Flatorei),  belonging  to  palatable  substances. 

2.  Spicy — to  stimulants,  sudorifici?,  stomaciiics;  &c, 

3.  Acid — to  Refrigerants,  Diluents,  he. 

4.  Sweet — to  Nutrients,  Demulcents,  8tc. 

5.  Sapie  or  Saltish — to  Antiscorbutics,  &c. 

15.  UNPLEASANT  SAPORS  belong  to  plants  of  active  pro- 
perties. Their  five  Series  are 

1.  Nauseous,  belonging^  to  Narcotics,  Emetics,   Cathartics, 
Antispasmodics,  Sec. 

2.  Acrid — Vo  Salivatories,  Stimulants,   Epispastics,  Anthel- 
minthics,  Emena'gogues,  &c. 

3.  Bitter — to  Tonics,   Corroborants,  &c. 

4.  Acerb — to  Astringents,  Diuretics,  &c. 

5.  Insipid — to  Emollients,  Demulcents,  Diluents,  &c. 

16.  The  sense  of  feeling  is  susceptible  of  ascertaining  at  least 
five  qualities  in  substances. 

1.  CooiNESS,  belongipg  to  Refrigerants. 

2.  Heat — to  Stimulants  and  Rubefacients, 

3.  Stinging — to  external  stimulants. 

4.  Vesication — to  Epispatics,  8cc. 

5.  CoRRosioN-^to  Escharotics,  and  Caustics. 

17.  These  different  qualities  variously  combined  and  modified 
by  each  other,  form  all  the  immense  variety  perceptible  in  plants. 

18.  Medical  Properties  of  a  corresponding  nature  being  co- 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  13 

existent  with  these  sensible  qualities,  are  obviously  indicated  by 
them. 

19.  Yet  some  plants  of  weak  qualities  and  seemingly  inert,  are 
often  possessed  of  unindicated  active  properties,  resulting  from 
chemical  combinations  or  gazeous  emanations. 

20.  Classifications  of  medical  properties  and  remedies  are  end- 
less, and  of  little  use.  Every  writer  on  Materia  Medica  common- 
ly contrives  a  new  one. 

21.  As  much  could  be  done  here,  or  some  one  adopted  ;  but 
it  will  be  sufficient  to  mention  that  the  most  general  Distribu- 
tion is  at  present  in  three  Classes,  1  Stimulant,  2  Chemi- 
cal, and  3  Mechanical  Properties  or  Remedies. 

22.  The  following  alphabetical  Glossary  of  the  principal  medi- 
cal properties,  will  probably  be  more  useful  for  reference. 

TABLE    OF    PROPERTIES. 

ABSORBENT,  absorbing  or  involving  noxious  matter. 

ABSTERGENT  or  DETERGENT,  cleaning  foul  ulcers  and 
sores. 

ANODYNE,  soothing  the  nerves,  allaying  pain,  very  similar 
to  Sedative  and  Nervine. 

ANTACID,  chemical  remedies,  neutralizing  Acids. 

AGGLUTINANT,  uniting  divided  solids. 

ALTERATIVE,  producing  a  change  in  the  whole  system,  or 
altering  the  appearance  oflocal  diseases. 

AMBROSIAL,  of  exquisite  smell  or  taste,  very  palatable  and 
restorative. 

ANALEPTIC,  gentle  stimulant  of  the  nerves. 

ANTIBILIOUS,  correcting  the  Bile. 

ANTIDOTE  or  ALEXITERIAL,  commonly  counter  poisons, 
chemical  remedies  correcting  the  effects  of  poisons. 

ANTI-DYSENTERIC,  against  dysentery  and  bowel  complaints, 
local  and  mechanical,  unless  astringent. 

ANTILITHIC,  curing  the  gravel  and  stone. 

ANTISPASMODIC,  diffusible  stimulant,  acting  on  the  muscles, 
curing  spasms,  pains,  &c. 

ANTHELMINTIC,  expelling  worms. 

ANTISCORBUTIC,  useful  in  scurvy. 

ANTISCROFULOUS,  useful  in  scrofula. 

C 


14  GENERAL   PRINCIPLES. 

ANTEROTIC,  sedatives  of  venery. 

ANTISEPTIC  or  ANTIPUTRID,  Tonic  useful  to  prevent 
external  or  internal  mortification. 

ANT  ALKALINE,  neutralizing  alkalies. 

APERIENT,  promoting-  excretions. 

APHRODISIAC,  stimulating-  Venery; 

AROMATIC,  diffusible  stimulant,heating  the  stomach  and  body. 

ASTRINGENT,  permanent  stimulant,  corrugating  the  fibres. 

ATTENUANT,  or  DEOBSTRUENT,  local  stimulant,  remov- 
mg  obstructions  of  the  glands,  liver,  8cc. 

BALSAMIC,  mild  healing  stimulant. 

CALEFACIENT,  local  stimulant,  heating  the  parts. 

CARMINATIVE,  Or  RUCTANT,  local  stimulant,  expelling 
winds. 

CARDIAC  or  CORDIAL,  acting  on  the  heart,  and  increasing 
its  muscular  action. 

CATHARTIC  or  PURGATIVE,  local  stimulants  cleaning  the 
bowels. 

CAUSTIC,  local  stimulants,  burning  the  parts, 

CEPHALIC,  curing  the  head  ache. 

CHOLOGOGUE,  purging  the  bile. 

CONSOLIDANT,  a  kind  of  tonic,  repairing  defects  in  solids. 

CORROBORANT,  a  kind  of  stomachic,  giving  strength, 

COSMETIC,  smoothing  or  lubricating  the  skin. 

DEMULCENT,  mechanical  remedy,  shielding  the  surfaces 
from  acrid  matter,  and  lubricating  the  organs. 

DEPILATORY,  removing  the  hair. 

DIAPHORETIC,  increasing  the  insensible  exhalation  of  the 
skin  and  lungs. 

DIFFUSIBLE,  spreading  through  the  whole  frame. 

DILUENTS,  diluting  and  expelling  morbific  matter,  increas- 
ing the  fluidity  of  the  blood,  &c. 

DISCUTIENT,  healing  sores  of  the  skin. 

DIURETIC,  stimulant,  increasing  the  discharge  from  the 
bladder  and  kidneys,  expelling  accumulated  fluids,  and  promoting 
dropsical  discharges. 

DRASTIC,  cathartics  purging  with  violence  and  pain. 

EFFLUVIAL,  producing  gazeous  emanations  which  affect  the 
skin. 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  15 

EMENAGOGUE,  increasing  the  menstrual  discharge. 

EMETIC  or  VOMITIVE,  local  stimulant  producing  a  dis- 
charge from  the  stomach. 

EMOLLIENT,  the  opposite  of  tonic,  relaxing  the  fibres. 
^  .     EPISPASTIC  or  BLISTER,  local  stimulant,  acting  on  the 
'     skin  and  membranes,  blistering  them,  &c. 

ERODENT,  removing  spots  and  warts  of  the  skin. 

ERRHINE,  promoting  sneezing  and  a  discharge  from  the  nose. 

ESCHAROTIC,  corroding  and  decomposing  the  skin  and 
other  solids.' 

EXHANTHEMATIC,  useful  for  Exhanthems. 

EXHAURIENT,  exhausting  vital  powers. 

EXCITANT,  stimulant  exciting  the  vital  functions. 

EXPECTORANT,  promoting  expectoration. 

FEBRIFUGE,  curing  fevers,  one  of  the  effects  of  tonics. 

HEPATIC,  useful  in  diseases  of  the  Liver. 

HUMECT  ANT,  a  kind  of  Diluent  moistening  the  solids. 

HYDRAGOGUE,  a  kind  of  Diuretic,  discharging  waters. 
^.  ^    INCITANT  or  INCISIVE,  stimulant,  acting  on  the  glandular 
system. 

INEBRIATING  or  EXHILARATING,  producing  intoxication 
in  different  degrees. 

INVISCANT  or  COAGULANT,  mucilagiaous  remedies,  thick- 
ening the  fluids. 

LAXATIVE,  useful  against  constipation  and  mild  purgatives. 
^.     LITHONTHRIPTIC,  chemical  remedy,  dissolving  the  gravel 
or  stone  in  the  bladder,  or  bezoars  of  the  liver, 
'^  \ "  LOCHIAL,  a  mild  Menagogue. 

£  ir,  NARCOTIC  or  STUPEFIANT,  diffusible  stimulant,  acting 
on  the  nervous  and  vascular  system,  producing  sleep,  stupor  and 
death  in  large  doses. 

NAUSEANTS,  producing  Nausea  without  Emesis. 

NEPHRITIC,  local  stimulant  of  the  kidneys. 

NERVINE,  acting  particularly  on  the  nerves,  and  soothing 
pain,  promoting  sleep,  useful  in  hysterics,  epilepsy,  &c. 

NOXIOUS  or  DELETERIOUS,  or  Pebnicious,  or  Basefui,  or 
Venomous,  all  Synonymous  of  Poisons,  producing  pain,  disease  or 
Death. 

NUTRIENT,  furnishing  nourishment  to  the  body. 


16  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

ODONTALGIC,  allaying  or  curing  the  tooth-ache. 

OPHTHALMIC,  useful  in  diseases  of  the  Eyes. 

PECTORAL,  useful  in  diseases  of  the  breast  and  lungs. 

PELLENT  or  REPELLENT,  charging  the  course  of  dischar- 
ges, or  repelling  the  morbid  fluids. 

PHTHIRIAC  or  PSORIC,  destroying  Lice  and  Itch. 

PHRENETIC  or  PHANTASTIC,  acting  on  the  brain,  pro- 
ducing delirium  and  dreams. 

PROPELLENT,  moving  the  fluids. 

PROPHYLACTIC,  preserving  health,  or  preventic,  a  peculiar 
disease. 

REFRIGERANT,  cooling,  lessening  the  heat  of  the  body,  al- 
laying local  or  general  inflammations. 

RESTORATIVE,  restoring  strength. 

REVIVING,  diffusible  stimulant,  relieving  from  faintness, 
torpors,  and  necropsy.  ' 

REPERCUSIVE,  throwing  back  an  eruption,  a  kind  of  repel- 
lent. 

REVULSIVE,  a  local  stimulant,  promoting  a  change  or  re- 
vulsion in  a  disease. 

RUBEFASCIENT,  topical  remedy,  exciting  redness  and  heat. 

SEDATIVE,  allaying  inordinate  motions  and  pains,  by  lessen- 
ing the  action  of  the  heart  and  circulation  of  the  blood. 

SIALOGOGUE  or  SALIVATORY,  exciting  salivation. 

SOLVENT  or  RESOLVENT,  a  kind  of  Diluent,  promoting 
solution  of  the  solids,  acting  on  the  lymphatic  system,  useful  in 
scrofula,  &c. 

SOPORIFIC  or  HYPNOTIC,  promoting  sleep. 

SORBEFACIENT,  raising  pimples,  &c. 

SPECIFIC,  a  remedy  supposed  to  act  especially  on  a  disease. 

STIMULANT,  acting  by  stimulating  the  body  or  some  parts 
of  it. 

STINGING,  acting  like  nettles  by  producing  a  burning  pain. 

STOMACHIC,  promoting  appetite,  useful  in  diseases  of  the 
stomach,  and  cholics. 

STYPTIC,  stoping  bloody  discharges. 

SUDORIFIC,  promoting  a  copious  perspiration. 
SUPPURATIVE  or  RESOLUTIVE,  promoting  suppuration  of 
ulcers,  tumors.  Sec. 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  17 

SYPHILITIC,  useful  in  syphilis  and  venereal  diseases. 

TONIC,  permanent  stin\ulant,  acting  on  the  whole  body,  in- 
creasing the  tone  of  the  fibres,  &c. 

TOPICAL,  a  remedy  acting  by  external  application. 

UTERINE,  acting  on  the  uterus. 

URETHRAL  or  STRANGURIAL,  a  local  stimulant,  acting  on 
the  Urethra,  producing  Strangury,  &c. 

VIRULENT,  of  strong  active  properties,  producing  powerful 
and  somewhat  noxious  effects. 

VULNERARY,  healing  wounds  and  sores. 

CONCLUDING   REMARKS. 

1.  Physicians  do  not  agree  on  the  mode  of  action  of  the  pro- 
perties,  nor  the  proximate  and  intricate  operation  of  remedies  ; 
but  the  ultimate  effects  and  results  being  ascertained,  they  are 
sufficient  for  practical  use. 

2.  Drugs  are  Vegetable  substances  prepared  for  use,  and  kept 
for  sale  by  Druggists  or  Pharmacians. 

3.  Those  which  are  imported,  are  often  adulterated,  or  in- 
ferior kinds  are  substituted  ;  for  instance  Peruvian  Bark  or  Cin- 
cHOKA,  and  Saffron  or  Cnocrs,  are  hardly  to  be  met  with  in  the 
U.  S. — Caribean  bark  or  Portlandia,  and  Bastard  Saffron  or  Cah- 
THAMUs,  are  usually  sold  instead,  which  are  very  weak  substitutes. 

4.  This  arises  from  a  want  of  medical  inspections  and  officinal 
knowledge :  the  results  are,  that  prescriptions  fail,  physicians 
are  disappointed,  and  patients  suffer. 

5.  To  avoid  in  part  these  evils,  it  is  desirable  to  employ  our 
own  genuine  medical  substances,  whenever  they  afford  sufficient 
remedies  and  suitable  equivalents. 

6.  Medical  substances  being  often  impaired  by  age,  it  is  de- 
sirable to  obtain  them  fresh,  or  in  yearly  rotation. 

7.  Fresh  and  genuine  substances  can  only  be  obtained  at  aU 
times  from  medical  gardens,  or  honest  dealers. 

8.  The  best  medical  gardens  in  the  United  States  are  those 
established  by  the  Communities  of  Shakers,  or  modern  Esse- 
nians,  who  cultivate  or  collect  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  kinds 
of  medical  plants. 

9.  They  sell  them  cheap,  fresh  and  genuine,  in  a  compact  and 

c  2 


18  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

portable  form.  Pharmacians  would  do  well  to  supply  themselves 
with  them,  or  to  imitate  their  useful  industry. 

10.  Several  of  our  medical  plants  and  drugs  are  already  an 
object  of  trade  to  Europe  and  elsewhere.  Many  more  may  be- 
come in  demand,  when  their  valuable  properties  will  be  better 
known. 

11.  Anew  branch  of  trade  may  thus  be  opened,  which  it  is 
our  duty  to  encourage,  by  collecting  and  cultivating  our  medical 
plants. 

12.  Herbalists  and  Collectors  are  often  ignorant  and  deceitful. 
The  best  way  to  prevent  their  fraudsjfand  correct  their  blunders 
is,  by  enlightening  them,  adopting  botanical  names,  and  refusing 
spurious  drugs. 


CRITICAL  TABLE  OF   THE  PRINCIPAL  AUTHORS 
AND  WORKS  CONSULTED. 

Adansojt  families  of  plants.  Paris. 

AiToir,  hortus  kewensis — had  many  new  American  plants. 

American  Pharmacopeia,  or  rather  of  the  United  States. 

Atlee,  Dissertation  on  Monarda  punctata.     Fig. 

B.  Barton,  collections  towards  a  Materia  Medica  of  the  United 
States.  Phil.  1798,  and  Suplt.  1804 — many  medical  plants  and 
properties  indicated,  no  descriptions  nor  figures. 

W.  Barton,  1.  Vegetable  Materia  Medica  of  the  United  States. 
Phil.  2  vols.  4to.  50  fig. — 2.  Flora  of  North  America,  3  vols.  4to. 
106  fig. — Another  costly  work  mentioning  about  1  plant  in  40 
of  N.  Amer.    Descriptions  short  and  flimsy. 

Bartram — Travels  in  Florida  and  the  Southern  States.    Phila. 

Bece,  plants  of  Missouri,  in  Silliman's  Journal. 

BiGELow,  1.  American  Medical  Botany,  3  vols.  4to.  Boston, 
1817,  &c.  2.  Sequel  to  the  American  Pharmacopeia,  1  vol.  8vo. 
1822.  3.  Florula  Bostoniensis,  1  vol.  8vo.— deficient  in  specie* 
and  descriptions. 

Brickei.1,,  Essay  on  the  plants  of  Georgia  and  N.  Carolina. 

BuRsoN,  Dissertation  on  7  medical  plants. 

Cadet,  Materia  Medica  Veget.  Guyamensis,  1816. 

Cabteb,  Travels  in' North  America. 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  19 

Cahpbbtteb,  on  Cinchonas,  &c. 

Chapman,  Materia  Medica.  Philad. — mentions  some  American 
plants. 

Charlevoix,  useful  plants  of  Canada,  with  figures. 

CrAYTOx,  Flora  Virginica,  with  medical  indications. 

CoELK,  Specifica  Canadensis,  in  Amenit.  Acad. 

CoLDEif,  useful  plants  of  New  York. 

CoRNUT,  Plants  of  Canada,  in  liatin  and  French. 

CoxE,  American  Dispensatory,  7th  Edit.  Philad.  1827. — Use- 
ful compilation,  few  original  indications  on  plants. 

CuiEEx,  Materia  Medica,  Amer.  Ed.     Philad. 

Cutler,  Plants  of  New  England,  rude  attempt,  many  botanical 
mistakes,  some  medical  indications. 

Decandolle.  1.  French  Flora.  2.  Species  Plantanum.  3.  Si- 
nopsis  pi.  4.  Theory  of  Botany.  5.  Medical  Natural  Families,  &c. 
— All  classical  works,  following  and  improving  the  natural  me- 
thod, the  species  pi.  is  not  yet  completed. 

DicTioiyAiRE  des  Sciences  Medicales.  Paris. 

Dispensaries,  or  American  Edition  of  European  Dispensatories. 

Dissertations  on  Medical  Plants,  Inaugural  and  others,  by 
Shultz,  Eberle,  Tully,  Mead,  Atlee,  Cogswell,  Burson,  Watkins, 
Dupuy,  Horsefield,  Macbride,  Mease,  &c.  &c. 

Drake,  Picture  of  Cincinnati  with  a  list  of  medical  plants. 

Drayton,  View  of  South  Carolina,  with  ditto. 

DuMONT-CorRSET,  Botanistc  Cultivateur,  7  vols.  8vo.  Paris 
1816. 

Duncan,  Amer.  Ed.  of  New  Edinburg  Dispensatory. 

DuHAMEL,  Arbres  et  Arbustes.  Paris. 

Eaton,  Manual  of  the  Botany  of  the  Northern  and  Middle 
States,  4th  Ed.  Albany,  1824— A  popular  elementary  work,  as 
good  as  a.  Flora. 

Elements  of  Botany,  by  B.  Barton,  Wildenow,  Necker, 
Mirbel,  Scopoli,  Sprengel,  Link,  Sumner,  Smith,  Lea,  Thornton, 
Locke,  Nuttal,  Decandolle,  Richard,  &c.— the  best  are  by  De- 
candoUe,  Sprengel,  Wildenow,  Mirbel,  and.Necker. 

Elliott,  Sketch  of  the  Botany  of  Carolina  and  Georgia,  3  vols. 
Svo.  Charleston,  1818  to  1822.— Under  that  modest  title,  we 
have  the  best  Flora  of  the  Southern  States,  full  of  New  Species, 
good  descriptions  and  with  several  medical  indications. 


so  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

Garden,  Observations  on  the  plants  of  Carolina. 

Gronovils,  Flora  Virginica  from  Clayton's. 

Henry,  Medical  herbal,  1  vol.  8vo.  New  York,  1814. — Empe- 
rical,  erroneous  in  names,  descriptions,  facts  and  figures,  some 
medical  facts,  and  local  names. 

Hunter,  Narrative,  1  vol.  Svo.  Philad,  1824. — Another  impos- 
tor, he  has  given  a  list  of  western  medical  plants  with  Osage 
names,  not  to  be  depended  upon  nor  ascertained. 

Inaugural  Theses  of  Medical  Students,  some  on  medical  plants 
with  experiments. 

A.  IvEs,  Amer.  Ed.  of  Paris  Pharmacology,  2  vols.  8vo.  New 
York,  1825. — Many  medical  plants  introduced. 

E.  Ives,  Tracts  and  Observations  in  Journals. 

Journals,    Many  Medical    and  Scientific,  Med.  Repository," 
Med.  Recorder,  Med.  Register,  Med.  Museum,  New  Eng.  Med. 
Journal,  Silliman's  Journal,  Philad.  Journal  of  Med.,  6.  Barton's 
Journal,  &c. 

JussiEu,  Genera  phantarum.  Paris,  1789. 

Kalm,  Travels  in  North  America. 

Lamark,  Dictionary  of  Botany,  &c. 

Laurence,  Catalogue  of  Medical  Plants,  cultivated  at  the  Medi- 
cal Garden  of  New  Lebanon,  New  York. 

Lewis  and  Clarke,  Travels  to  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

LiNsaius,  1.  Philosophy  of  Botany.  2.  Genera  Plantarum. 
3.  Species  Plantarum.  4.  Materia  Medica.  5.  Amenitates  Acade- 
mica,  &c.  6.  Systema  Vegetabilium,  &c. — All  classical  works. 

Macbride,  Medical  remarks  in  Elliott's  Flora. 

Marshall,  American  Grove.  Philad.  1785. 

Mease,  Medical  Tracts  and  Dissertations. 

MicHAux,  Flora  boreali  Americana,  2  vols.  8vo.  Paris,  1803. — 
Edited  by  Richard,  incomplete,  some  figures. 

MicHAux,  Junior,  American  Sylva,  3  vols.  8vo.  Paris. — Good 
work ;  but  many  trees  are  omitted. 

MiTCHiLL,  Many  Tracts  and  Dissert,  in  Med.  Repository,  &c. 

MuHLENBisHG,  1.  Catalogue  of  Amer.  Plants.  2.  Graminea. 
3.  Florula  Lancastrieusis.  4.  New  plants  communicated  to  Wilde- 
now. 

Murray,  Amer.  Ed.  of  his  Materia  Medica. 

NuTTALL,  1.  Genera  of  North  American  Plants,  2  vols.  12mo 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  21 

Pliilad.  1819.  Good  botanical  work. — 2,  Elements  of  Botany. 
1  vol.  Bost.  1827  unworthy  of  him,  not  keeping-  pace  with  ac- 
tual knowledge. 

Pehsoo^t,  Sinopsis  Plantarum,  2  vols.  Paris,  1805  &  7. — Excel- 
lent manual. 

Pexbilhe,  Medical  Natural  History  in  French,  2  vols.  Svo. 
1805. — Excellent  work  and  plan,  including-  the  officinal  plants. 

Pharmacopeias  of  London,  Dublin,  Edinburg,  Paris,  America, 
Thatcher,  Coxe,  Dr.  Paris,  &c. 

■PuKSH,  Flora  Americ.  Septentr.  2  vols.  Svo.  Lond.  1815; — good, 
but  many  oversights,  classical,  till  a  better  Flora  is  given  ;  has 
some  figures  and  medical  indications. 

RAFINESQ.UE,  1.  New  Gen.  8c  Sp.  of  Amer.  plants,  and  remarks 
on  Amer.  and  Naturalized  plants,  in  Med.  Repository,  N.  York, 
1808. — 2.  Precis  des  Decouvertes  Pal.  1814. — 3.  Principles  of 
Semiology  Pal.  1814. — 4.  Encycl.  Journal  of  Sicily,  1814. — 5. 
Analysis  of  Nature,  1815. — 6.  Florula  of  Louisiana.  N.York,  1817. 
— 7.  Florula  Kentuckensis,  1825. — 8.  Many  Tracts  and  Disserta- 
tions, &c. 

RoBix,  Travels  in  Louisiana,  3  vols.  Svo.  in  French,  with  an 
Account  of  the  Plants  at  the  end. 

RoMER,  Systema  Segetabilium,  Zurich,  1818. 

Salisbury,  Tracts  and  Botanical  Dissertations. 

ScHOEPF,  Materia  Medica  Americana  potissimum  regni  vegeta- 
bilis,  Erlang,  1787. — Classical  on  our  Materia  Medica.   . 

ScopoLi,  Materia  Medica,  and  Botanical  works. 

Peter  Smith,  the  Indian  Doctor,  Dispensary,  Cincinnati,  1815. 
A  guide  for  Empirics,  some  medical  fadts ;  but  it  is  difficult  to  as- 
certain to  what  species  they  apply,  no  descriptions  nor  figures, 
nor  correct  names  are  given. 

SwEDiAXJB,  Materia  Medica,  Paris,  &c. in  Latin. 

Thatcher,  Pharmacopeia, — the  first  to  introduce  many  nevr 
medical  plants. 

Samuel  Thompson,  New  Guide  to  Health.  Boston,  1825-— An 
Empiric  who  has  introduced  some  efficient  plants  in  practice.  No 
descriptions  nor  figures,  names  local. 

ToRBEY,  1,  Flora  of  the  Northern  and  Middle  States,  1st  vol. 
N.  Y.  2.  Compendium  of  the  same,  including  all  the  Species  to 


22  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

Cryptogamia,  N.  Y.  1826. — 3.  Many  Botanical  Tracts. — An  accu- 
rate writer;  classical  works. 

TuLLT,  Medical  Tracts  in  Journals,  &c. 

ViTMAN,  Summa  plantarum,  6  vols.  8vo.  Milan,  1789. 

Walter,  Flora  Caroliniana,  1789 — only  a  florula. 

WiLDENOw,  Species  plantarum. — Laborious  heavy  work  on 
the  linnsean  plan,  carried  as  far  as  the  Ferns. 

WooDViLEE,  Medical  Botany,  in  4  vols.  4to.  with  coloured 
figures,  London. — Expensive  work,  noticing  about  one  tenth  of 
the  medical  plants  known. 

ZoLiicKOFFER,  Materia  Medica  of  the  United  States.  Bait. 
1826.  No  descriptions,  and  many  errors. 


EXPLANATION  OF  SOME  BOTANICAL   TERMS. 

Achene,  a  single  seed  like  wheat. 
Acuminate,  abruptly  sharp. — Acute,  same  as  sharp. 
Adnate,  connivent  or  growing  together. 
Alternate,  situated  on  two  sides,  but  not  opposite. 
Ament,  catkin  or  spike  of  the  oak,  willow,  &c. 
Ancipital,  having  two  sharp  sides  like  a  sword. 
Angular,  forming  angles. 
Annual,  lasting  only  one  year. 
Anomalous,  out  of  order  or  irregular. 

Axillary,  situated  at  the  corner  between  the  stem  and  leaves. 
Biennial,  lasting  two  years. 
Bifid,  divided  in  two,  trifid  Avhen  in  three,  &c. 
Binate,  twin  leaves  or  flowers. 
Bract,  a  floral  leaf,  bracteole  a  small  one. 
Bulb,  scaly  thick  root  like  Onions,  Tulips,  &c. 
Campanulate,  shaped  like  a  bell. 
Capsul,  a  dry  fruit  opening  by  valves  or  holes. 
Cells,  the  mternal  divisions  of  the  fruit,  one  celled  or  unilocu- 
lar, two  celled  or  bilocular,  three  celled  or  trilocular,  &c. 
Ciliate,  having  hairs  on  the  edges. 

Cluster,  or  thyrsus,  a  bunch  of  flowers  or  fruit,  like  Lilac. 
Cordate,  shaped  like  a  heart. 
Coryj7ib,  umbel  with  scattered  shafts. 
Cuspidate  or  mucronate  having  a  bristle  at  the  end. 
Cylindric,  long  and  round  like  a  cylinder. 
Deciduous,  falling  off". 

Decomposed,  cut  up  in  many  successive  segments. 
Deltoid,  triangular  like  a  Delta. 
Dichotome,  forked  several  times. 
Diclinous,  with  staminate  and  pistillate  flowers. 


GENERAL    PRINCIPLES.  §3 

Dioicaly  having  staminate  and  pistilate  flowers  on  different  in- 
dividuals. 

Disk,  the  flat  part  of  a  leaf  or  petal,  &c. 

.  Discolor,  leaves  having  two  colors. 

Distichal,  in  two  flat  rows. 

Drupe,  a  stone  fruit  like  Peach  or  Plumb. 

Elliptic,  oblong  with  rounded  ends  as  an  ellipsis. 

Exsert,  protruding  out  of  the  flowers,  &c. 

Fascicle,  a  small  bundle  of  leaves  or  flowers,  called  then  fasci- 
culate. 

Filiform,  shaped  like  a  thread. 

Fistvlose,  a  hollow  stem,  &c. 

Flexuose,  bent  in  many  ways,  or  crooked. 

Floret  ar  Floscule,  a  small  flower  in  compound  flowers. 

Foliole  or  leaflet,  a  small  leaf  of  compound  leaves. 

Fronde,  leaves  bearing  the  fructification,  or  stems  shaped  like 
leaves. 

Fusiform,  shaped  like  a  spindle. 

Glabrous,  same  as  smooth. 

Gladiate,  sword  shaped. 

Glanditlar,  having  glands. 

Glume,  the  perigone  of  grasses. 

Hastate,  halbert  shaped. 

Imbricate,  slanting  over  each  other,  like  tiles  or  shingles. 

Inferior,  below  something. 

Inflorescence,  mode  in  which  the  flowers  grow. 

Involucre,  bracteoles  surrounding  or  annexed  to  several  flowers 

Labiate,  flowers  with  one  or  two  lips  uni  or  bilabiate. 

Lanceolate,  shaped  like  a  lance. 

Legume,  the  pods  of  Peas,  Beans,  &c. 

Ligulate,  like  a  small  tongue. 

Lobe,  a  rounded  segment,  lobed  with  lobes. 

Lyrate,  shaped  like  a  lyre. 

Monoical,  having  staminate  and  pistilate  flowers  on  the  same 
plant. 

Muricate,  covered  with  short  prickles. 

JS^erves,  prominent  fibres  in  the  leaves,  &c. 

J^^eutral,  flowers  without  Stamina  nor  pistils  and  sterile. 

Oblique  or  Obliqual,  having  a  slanting  position,  oblique  leaves 
like  those  of  the  Elm,  have  two  unequal  sides. 

Obtuse,  not  sharp,  blunted  or  rounded. 

Ojjposite,  situated  one  over  the  other. 

Orbicular,  perfectly  round. 

Oval,  shaped  like  an  egg. 

Panicle,  a  loose  bunch  of  flowers,  much  divided. 

Pappus,  the  downy  or  bristly  calix  of  florets. 

Parted,  cut  into  segments,  2 — 3 — 4 — 5  parted,  &c. 

Pedicel,  a  small  peduncle,  or  a  branch  of  it. 

Peduncle,  the  foot  stalk  of  flowers  and  fruits. 

Perianthe,  the  involucre  or  calix  of  compound  flowers. 


^1*  GENERAL    PRINCIPLES. 

Petal,  parts  or  leaves  of  the  Corolla,  monopetal  or  peripetal 
having  only  segments  ;  2—3 — 4 — 5  petal,  having  as  many  leaves 
or  petals  ;  poly  petal  having  many  petals. 

Perennial,  lasting  several  years. 

Persistent,  not  falling  off. 

Petiole,  support  of  the  leaf ;  petiolate  having  a  petiole. 

Phoranthe,  the  central  part  of  compound  flowers  bearing  the 
florets. 

Pinnate,  leaves  having  many  folioles. 

Pinnatifid,  having  many  deep  lateral  segments. 

Pinnule,  the  segments  of  pinnatifid  parts. 

Polygamous,  having  complete  flowers,  as. well  as  some  either 
Staminate  or  pistillate. 

Pome,  fruit  similar  to  an  apple. 

Raceme,  a  spike  with  pedicels  to  the  flowers. 

Radiate,  having  rays  or  ligulate  flowers  around  the  floretjs. 

Radical,  growing  from  the  root. 

Ramose,  branching,  divided  into  branches. 

Receptacle,  the  place  where  the  seeds  are  attached. 

Reniform,  shaped  like  a  kidney.'  - 

Retuse,  blunt  and  notched. 

Rugose,  wrinkled  or  roughened  by  nerves,  &c. 

Runcinate,  cut  up  into  sharp  segments  like  a  barbed  arrow. 

Sagittate,  shaped  like  a  forked  arrow. 

Scape,  stem,  surrounded  by  radical  leaves. 

Segment,  a  part  not  quite  jlivided. 

Sepals,  the  folioles  of  the  Calix  or  Perigone. 

Sessile,  having  no  support. 

Serrate,  toothed  like  a  saw. 

Siliqne,  the  pods  of  Turnip,  Cabbage,  &c. 

Sinuate,  having  sinuses. 

Solitary,  standing  by  itself. 

Spadix,  a  thick  support  of  many  crowded  flowers. 

Spatha,  Involucre  surrounding  a  Spadix,  or  involvirg-  flowers. 

Spur,  a  hollow  appendage  to  some  flowers. 

Stipule,  appendage  to  some  leaves. 

Subulate,  shaped  like  an  awl. 

Superior,  standing  above  somethin,<y. 

Terminal,  standing  at  the  end. 

Ternate,  three  by  three. 

Tomentose,  covered  with  woolly  hairs  like  cloth. 

Trioical,  bearing  complete,  staminate  and  pistilate  flowers  in 
three  diflferent  individuals. 

Tuberous,  thick  roots  like  Potatoes  and  Turnips. 

Tubular,  forming  a  tube. 

Umbel,  cluster  of  flowers  forming  a  kind  of  umbrella,  as  in 
Carrot  and  Fennel. 

Undulate,  having  waved  margins. 

F>ms,  fibres  of  leaves  not  prominent  like  nerves. 

Verticillate,  forming  whorls. 


No.  1. 

ACORUS  CALAMUS. 


SWEET   r&AG. 


No.  1.  ACORUS.  ^5 

-  -  ■  '  ■  - 

No.  1. 

ACORUS  CALAMUS. 

English  Name— SWEET  FLAG. 

French    Name — Acore  Odorant. 

German  Name — Kalmus. 

Officinal  Names — Calamus  Aromaticus,  Calami 
Radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Flag-root,  Sweet  Cane,  Myrtle 
Flag,  Sweet  Grass,  Sweet  Root,  Sweet  Rush. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Dispen- 
saries, Schoepf,  Woodville,  Thacher,  Coxe,  Swediaur, 
Bigelow's  Sequel,  W.  Barton  fig.  30  bad,  &:c.  4'C. 


Genus  Acorus — Spadix  cylindrical  with  crowded 
flowers.  Perigone  simple,  six-parted  persistent. 
Stamina  six  pericentric.  Germen  one,  no  style,  stig- 
ma punctiform.     Capsuls  three  celled,  many  seeded. 

Species  A.  Calamus  Var.  A  me  rig  anus — Leaves 
and  stems  sword  shaped,  ancipital,  stems  longer. 
.Spadix  cylindrical,  obtuse,  solitary,  oblique,  subme- 
dial  lateral.     Capsuls  oblong  acute. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  horizontal, 
jointed,  rugose,  nearly  cylindrical,  from  six  to 
twent}^-four  inches  long,  joints  from  half  an  inch  to 
an  inch  long,  white,  with  triangular  shades,  or  rings 
of  brown  and  rose  ;  the  inside  is  spongy,  and  loses 
much  by  dessication  ;  bunches  of  coarse  fibres  hang 
downwards,  and  hairy  brown  fibres  spread  upwards 


26  ACORUS.  No.  1. 

The  leaves  are  all  radical  sheathing  at  the  base, 
and  variegated  of  white,  rose  and  green  ;  they  be- 
come flat  above,  green  and  smooth,  with  a  ridge  on 
each  side  in  the  middle,  the  end  is  very  sharp, 
length  from  one  to  three  het.  The  stems  are  similar 
to  the  leaves ;  but  commonly  longer  and  bearing 
near  the  middle  on  one  edge,  the  spadix  or  thick 
spike  of  flowers. 

Spadix  solitary,  oblique,  cylindrical  from  one  to 
three  inches  long,  both  ends  tapering  but  obtuse. — 
Flowers  small,  crowded  spirally  on  it,  and  yellow. 
Perigone  with  six  equal  and  truncate  segments — 
Stamina  six,  filaments  thick,  anthers  bilobe — Ger- 
men  one  gibbose,  oblong,  stigma  sessile,  pointed — 
Capsul  oblong  with  many  minute,  slender  seeds. 

HISTORY — The  Genus  Acorus  is  so  perfectly 
natural  that  the  few  species  belonging  to  it,  are  hardly 
distinguished  from  each  other.  The  Chinese  Acorus 
(*/f.  gi^amineiis)  has  narrow  leaves  and  the  spadix 
nearly  terminal.  The  Asiatic  and  Malabar  species 
(^z?  verus,^  has  a  slender  root  and  thin  leaves.  The 
European  Acorus  is  deemed  by  all  Botanists  similar 
to  the  North  American,  and  yet  differs  as  much  from 
it  as  the  Chinese.  The  above  specific  character  ap- 
plies to  our  American  variety  or  species  :  while  the 
European  plant  may  be  distinguished  by  the  follow- 
ing definition. 

A.  Calamus  Var.  Europeiis — Leaves  and  stems 
sword-shaped,  nearly  equal,  hardly  ancipital.  Spadix 
cylindrical,  obtuse,  oblique,  lateral,  often  double. 
Capsuis  trigone  obtuse. 


No.  1.  ACORXTS.  ^7 

These  distinctions  hardly  amount  to  specific  differ- 
ence, land  therefore  the  genus  might  properly  be  con- 
sidered as  having  a  single  type,  which  being  widely 
spread  has  undergone  some  variations  in  China,  India, 
Europe  and  North  America.  This  surmise  will  be 
confirmed  by  the  habit  of  these  plants  being  perfect- 
ly identical,  and  all  possessing  the  same  aromatic 
smell  and  medical  properties. 

Acofius  is  a  name  derived  from  llie  Greek  and 
alluding  to  a  former  belief  that  it  was  beneficial  for 
disorders  of  the  eyes.  Calamus  meant  a  Reed  or 
Rush  in  Greek  and  Latin. 

This  genus  belongs  to  Hexandria  Monogyiiia  of 
Linnaeus  ;  but  in  the  natural  arrangement  to  the  tribe 
of  '  RONTiDES,  a  branch  of  Typhides,  next  to  the 
genus  Orontinm.  It  is  like  them  an  aquatic  plant, 
growing  on  the  borders  of  streams  and  ponds  or  mea- 
dows, ditches,  &c.  throughout  North  America,  from 
Canada  to  Louisiana,  east  and  west  of  the  mountains, 
in  company  with  the  Iris  or  Flags,  Typha,  Sparga- 
7iium,  Orontlunii  Juncus,  and  other  Rushes.  The 
fine  smell  of  the  leaves  and  roots,  enables  to  distin- 
guish it  from  all  other  Flags  and  Rushes  at  any  time. 

The  roots  are  the  most  essential  part.  They  form 
an  article  of  trade  in  China,  Malabar,  Turkey,  &c. — 
In  the  early  stage  of  the  North  American  Colonies, 
it  was  exported  to  England  ;  and  is  even  now  occa- 
sionally sent  abroad.  It  might  be  carried  to  China 
where  it  is  esteemed.  It  grows  so  copiously  that 
there  will  be  no  need  to  cultivate  it  ;  but  when  it 
may  become  expedient  to  produce   more,   it  will  be 


28  ACOnuS.  No.  >, 

very  easy  to  raise  it  by  planting  slips  of  the  roots  in 
ditches  and  swampy  grounds.  To  prepare  thcf  roots 
tor  use  or  exportation  they  must  be  dug,  cleaned  and 
dried.  The  best  time  to  collect  them  is  the  spring 
and  fall. 

Cattle  will  not  eat  this  plant,  and  it  is  noxious  to 
insects  ;  the  leaves,  therefore,  may  be  used  to  advan- 
tage against  moths  and  worms.  This  is  owing  to 
their  strong  smell.  Leather  can  be  tanned  by  the 
whole  plant. 

The  blossoms  appear  in  May  or  June  ;  they  are 
yellow  and  crowded  on  a  thick  spike  or  spadix. 

Qualities — A  chemical  examination  of  the  roots, 
evinces  the  presence  of  Tannin,  Amarine,  and  an  es- 
sential Oil,  in  which  resides  the  aromatic  smell ;  but 
this  last  can  only  be  obtained  in  the  proportion  of 
half  per  cent.  The  bitter  principle  is  better  soluble 
in  water  than  alcohol. 

PROPERTIES — The  roots  are  warm,  aromatic, 
pungent  and  bitter.  They  are  deemed  stomachic,  to- 
nic, corroborant  and  carminative.  The  infusion  in 
wine  or  spirits  becomes  bitter,  but  acquires  a  nauseous 
flavour.  The  infusion  in  water  preserves  the  fine 
smell,  and  becomes  pleasantly  v/arm  and  bitter. 

It  is  useful  in  disorders  of  the  stomach,  flatulency, 
vertigo,  cholics,  dyspepsia,  &:c.  ;  candied  roots  and 
the  extract,  or  chewing  the  roots  and  swallowing 
the  juice,  are  efficient  in  those  cases. — The  warm 
infusion  like  tea,  cures  the  wind  cholic  of  infants, 
sailors,  &c. 

The  dose  of  the  extract  is  half  a  drachm.     When 


No.  1.  ACORUS.  29 

the  root  is  masticated,  a  copious  salivation  is  produc- 
ed, which  has  cured  the  tooth  ache.  Children  are 
fond  of  this  root  in  many  places,  and  may  be  indulged 
with  it  ;  the  taste  is  spicy  and  pleasant.  The  can- 
died roots  are  palatable  and  much  used  in  Asia. — 
This  root  enters  into  many  compound  preparations, 
theriaca,  mithridate,  &c. 

It  has  been  recommended  in  intermittents,  which  it 
has  cured  when  the  bark  had  failed  but  more  eflfec- 
tual  tonics,  may  be  used. 

Substitutes — Panax  quinquefoUum  or  Gin- 
seng— Anisum  or  Aniseed — Angelica — Illicium — 
Solidago  odora  or  Golden  Rod — Frasera  or  Golum- 
bo — with  all  mild  tonics  and  aromatic-bitter  sub- 
stances. 

Remarks — ^The  Iris  pseudo-Acortis  of  Europe 
doe«  not  grow  in  America,  and  cannot  be  mistaken 
there  for  this.  Some  other  Iris  roots  (I.  Jlnreniina^ 
I,  versicolor^  Sac. J  which  are  also  sweet  scented,  but 
more  agreeable,  may  be  distinguished  by  the  violet 
smell. 

Henry  calls  this  Serous  !  and  gives  a  bad  figure 
of  it. 


c  2 


30  ADZAKTTUM,  No.  % 


No.  2. 

ADIANTUM  FEDATUM. 

English  Name— AMERICAN  MAIDENHAIR. 

French  Name — Capillaire  du  Canada. 

German  Name — Frauenhaar. 

Officinal  Names — Capil  Veneris,  Herba  Teneris. 
Filix  Veneris. 

Vulgar  Names — Maiden-hair,  Rock-fern,  Sweet- 
tern. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Schoepfi 
Charlevoix,  French  Dispensaries,  &.c.  not  in  Barton 
Hor  Bigelow. 

Genus  Adiantum — Fern  with  divided  Frond. 
Fructification  in  small  interrupted  marginal  lines. 
Integument  univalve,  opening  below. 

Species  A.  Pedatum — Petiole  glossy  pedate  dich- 
©tome.  Frondules  pinnate,  folioles  alternate,  pe- 
tiolate,  oblong,  trapezoid,  entire  before  and  below, 
jagged  and  fructiferous  on  the  upper  margin,  obtuse 
"and  crenate  at  the  end. 

DESCRIPTlON—i^oot  Perennial,  large,  fibrous, 
brown.  Frond  about  a  foot  high  ;  stems  or  petioles 
of  the  Frond  smooth,  compressed,  contorted,  .':hin- 
'ing  or  glossy  chesnut  color,  forked  upwards,  and 
each  branch  bearing  upwards  from  four  to  seven 
frondules,  the  first  being  the  ha-gest,  which  gives 
the  pedate  appearance.     Tnese  frondules  are  pinnate, 


No.  2. 

ADIANTUM  PEDATUM. 


AXaERXCAlf   MAZDEIVHAXR. 


No.  2.  ADIANTtTM.  31 

€lon2;ated,  having  each  from  twenty  to  sixty  distichal 
folioles,  vvhich  are  inserted  by  a  corner,  and  a  small 
petiole.  The  shape  is  oblong  quadrangular,  the  out- 
side or  end  being  rounded  and  crenate,  while  two 
sides  are  square  and  entire  ;  but  the  upper  side  is 
jagged  and  bears  the  fructification.  Color  pale  green, 
surface  smooth,  with  many  oblique  nerves. 

The  fructification  is  marginal  on  the  upper  border 
of  the  folioles,  of  a  pale  yellowish  color,  formed  by 
unequal  and  irregular  marginal  lines.  The  integu- 
ment is  membranaceous,  growing  from  the  maro-in  in 
transversal  lines,  which  extends  under  it,  and  open 
transversally  below,  showing  the  cluster  of  small 
granular  capsuls  which  they  inclose. 

HISTORY — The  Adiantum  Capilveneris  of 
Europe  is  the  type  of  this  genus,  and  has  long  held 
there  a  rank  in  medical  plants,  as  a  mild  pectoral. 
The  specific  name  meaning  hair  of  Venus,  is  of  old 
standing;  the  English,  French  and  German  names 
derive  from  it. 

*5.  ptdatum  possessing  the  same  qualities,  being 
larger,  and  more  common,  has  long  been  an  article 
of  exportation  from  Canada,  &:c.  to  Europe  ;  where 
it  has  gradually  superseded  the  other,  although  it  is 
less  fragrant.  The  specific  name  indicates  the  pe- 
date  appearance  of  the  Frond  or  foliage,  the  whole 
of  which  is  used  and  being  very  easily  dried,  like  all 
ferns,  is  packed  up  in  bags.  It  is  from  Canada  and 
Nova  Scotia  that  most  is  sent,  and  spread  all  over 
Europe  ;  but  it  could  be  sent  from  many  other  quar- 
ters since  it  grows  all  over  the   United  States  from 


abzantuim:.  no.  2. 


New  England  to  Missouri  and  Virginia.  It  becomes 
more  scarce  in  the  South,  being  confined  to  the 
mountains.  It  delights  in  rich  soil  and  deep  woods, 
but  is  also  found  on  hills  and  among  rocks.  It  may 
be  collected  at  any  time;  but  must  not  be  mistaken 
nor  blended  with  the  Sweet  fern  shrub,  Compionia 
%^sph7ii folia,  which  is  a  shrub  with  fragrant  leaves. 

This  genus  belongs  to  Cryptogamia  Filices  of 
Linnaeus.  The  natural  order  of  Ferns  or  Filices  is 
very  easily  known  by  having  a  Frond  or  flat  foliage, 
bearing  an  inconspicuous  fructification  in  lines  or 
dots  without  flowers.  All  the  ferns  have  a  peculiar 
smell,  rather  grateful,  and  more  or  less  fragrant ;  it 
is  very  perceptible  in  the  Brake  or  Pteris  aquilina, 
the  Thelipteris,  Driopteris,  kc.  Although  but 
slightly  unfolded  in  the  t^.  pedatum,  yet  it  gives  a 
flavor  to  its  decoction  or  syrup. 

Qualities— The   active   qualities    of   this     fern, 
reside  in  its  mucilage  united   to   a   small  portion  of 
aroma  and  tannin.     The  same  principles  are  found  in 
various  proportions  in  all  the  other  medical  ferns. 

PROPERTIES — Pectoral  and  expectorant,  muci- 
laginous, subastringent,  ?ubtonic.  It  is  used  in  decoc- 
tion or  syrup.  The  celebrated  Syrop  de  Capillaire 
of  the  French  is  made  with  it,  which  is  a  pleasant 
summer  drink,  and  popular  pectoral  remedy  through- 
out Europe,  although  little  known  in  America,  ex- 
cept among  the  French  and  Germans.  It  is  found 
useful  in  all  coughs  and  hoarseness,  also  in  asthma 
and  tickling  of  the  throat,  and  even  in  pleurisy  and 
all  disorders  of  the  bronchia,  larynx  and  breast. 


No.  2.  •  ADIANTUM.  83 


Its  properties  as  a  promoter  of  secretions,  and  a 
cure  for  the  jaundice  are  doubtful.  But  it  strength- 
ens the  fibres  and  promotes  expectoration.  It  is  a 
very  good  vehicle  and  auxiliary  for  pectoral  remedies, 
and  even  for  cathartics,  such  as  Croton-oil,  Castor-oil, 
&c.  which  are  rendered  palatable  by  it.  Liquorice 
may  be  added  to  the  decoction,  instead  of  sugar,  to 
render  it  more  efficient 

Influenza  is  often  cured  by  using  some  of  the 
syrup  to  sweeten  its^  own  decoction  or  any  other 
suitable  herb  tea.  It  has  the  advantage  that  it  may 
be  used  ad  libitum,  or  in  any  chosen  dose.  My  own 
experience  has  tested  the  value  of  this  plant  and  its 
syrup,  in  cough  and  influenza,  and  I  can  recommend 
the  following  cathartic,  as  one  of  the  most  effectual 
and  withal  pleasant  to  the  taste  :  One  single  drop  of 
Croton  Oil  dissolved  in  a  SDOon-full  or  cup-full  of  this 
syrup. 

Substitutes — Althea  officinalis  or  Marsh  Mal- 
low— Agrimonia — Violet  flowers — Gaultheria  pro- 
cumhens  or  Mountain  Tea — Tussi/as;o  or  Coltsfoot 
— Pulmonaria  /^e>^/;22c«  or  Lungwort — Inula  He- 
lenium  or  Elecampane — Evonymtts  atropurpxireus 
or  Wahoon — Crategvs  crusgalli  or  American  Haw- 
thorn— Marrtibium  Vulgar e  or  ikOrehound,  and 
many  sweet  Filices,  &:c.  &c 

Remarks — In  Renry's  herbal  the  figure  of  this 
plant  is  nothing  like  it ;  perhaps  the  J3.  capilveneris 
is  meant ;  which,  however,  does  not  grow  in 
Americc^ 


S^  ACRIMONXA.  No.S. 

No.  3. 

AGRIMONIA  EUPATORIA. 

English  Name— COMMON  AGRIMONY. 

French    Name — Aigremoine  Commune. 

German  Name — Gemeine  Oderminig. 

Officinal  Names — Herba  Agrimonia. 

Vulgar  Names — Cockle-bur,  Stickwort,  &c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Decandolle,  Michaux, 
Pursh,  Henry,  Schoepf,  Dispensaries,  &c. — Not  in 
Bigelow  nor  Barton. 


Genus  Agrimonia — Calyx  permanent  urceolate 
five  toothed,  bristly  outside.  Corolla  with  five  petals 
inserted  on  the  calyx.  Stamina  twelve  to  fifteen  in- 
serted on  the  calyx.  Two  germens,  two  styles,  and 
two  seeds  surrounded  by  the  calyx — Leaves  pinnate. 

Species  A.  Eupatoria — Stem  simple;  leaves  inter- 
l*upted  pinnate,  folioles  opposite,  sessile,  oval,  oblong, 
deeply  serrate,  the  terminal  petiolate;  interfolioles 
short  and  jagged. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  Perennial— Stem  hairy, 
rounded,  one  or  two  feet  high,  seldom  branched  — 
Leaves  alternating,  the  inferior  larger,  hairy,  pinnate 
or  compound,  having  from  five  to  nine  larger  folioles 
and  some  smaller  ones  interposed,  which  are  broad 
but  short,  and  much  divided.  All  the  folioles  arc 
sessile  and  opposite  except  the  last.  Shape  oval  or 
oblong,  acute  at  both  ends,   margin  deeply  and  une- 


No.  3.  . 

AGRIMONIA   EUPATORIA. 


COMMON   ACRXMONT. 


No.  3.  AaXlZMOKZA.  35 


qually  serrated.     Inflorescence  in  a  terminal  slender 
spike. 

Flowers  small,  sessile.  Calj^x  2;reen,  bearing  the 
Corolla  and  Stamina,  bristl)'^,  five  toothed.  Corolla 
yellow,  with  five  oblong  petals.  Stamina  yellow, 
short,  anthers  oval.  Fruit,  a  small  green  bur,  form- 
ed by  the  permanent  Calyx,  enclosing  two  seeds, 
convex  outside,  flat  inside,  and  crowned  by  the  two 
styles.  This  bur  often  sticks  to  clothes,  like  other 
bristly  burs. 

HISTORY — This  plant  has  a  wide  range,  being 
found  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  North  America,  with 
hardly  any  change.  It  has  been  deemed  medical 
very  anciently,  and  although  not  very  powerful,  is 
not  destitute  of  efiiciency. 

The  Genus  contains  but  few  species  ;  the  Jlp^ri^o- 
nia parvijlora  isanother  found  in  North  America,  and 
probably  equal  in  properties  ;  it  merely  difiers  from 
this  by  narrower  leaves,  more  numerous  folioles, 
longer  slender  spike,  and  smaller  flowers,  but  more 
fragrant.  The  Agrimonia  Eupatoria  is  spread 
from  Canada  to  Missouri  and  Carolina,  and  grows  in 
woods,  fields,  glades  and  near  streams.  The  AgrU 
iuonia  j)arviJlora  is  more  common  in  the  west  and 
south.  Both  blossom  in  summer.  The  whole  plant 
is  used  and  is  slightly  fragrant. 

The  Genus  belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Rosacea 
or  RiiODANTiiEs,  next  to  Poteriuni  and  Waldstei- 
nia.  In  the  Linnean  arrangement  it  is  placed  in 
DoD-  CA  vDRiA  Digynia.  The  name  is  a  classical  one, 
and  Eupatoria  comes  from  Eupator,  to  whom  many 


36  AanXlMEONXA.  No.  3. 

useful  plants  were  dedicated  by  the  Greeks  :  here  it 
is  employed  for  the  species,  while  in  Eupatorium 
it  becomes  a  generic  denomination. 

Qualities — Similar  to  Adiantum  ;  but  it  has 
less  mucilage,  and  more  tannin,  with  some  gallic 
acid.  The  Aroma  is  different,  rather  similar  to  that 
of  Melilot  or  Clover. 

PROPERTIES— A  mild  astringent,  tonic  and  cor- 
roborant. Useful  in  coughs,  and  bowel  complaints. 
Being  a  very  mild  astringent  it  may  be  given  in 
diarrhea,  dysentery  and  relaxed  bowels.  It  has 
been  recommended  in  many  other  complaints,  and  is 
said  to  have  cured  the  asthma.  The  best  way  to 
take  it,  is  in  a  strong  decoction  sweetened  with  honey 
or  Maiden-hair  syrup.  The  dose  is  four  cups  every 
da^.     Both  root  and  plant  may  be  boiled. 

Substitutes — Jidiantum  pedatum  or  Maiden- 
hair— Solidago  odora  or  Golden-rod — Geum  vir- 
ginicum — Glechoma  Hederacea  or  Ground  Ivy- 
Rose   flowers    and    all    mild  vegetable    astringents. 

Remarks — This  is  one  of  Ihe  few  plants  which 
Henry  has  not  altogether  mistaken  either  in  name  or 
figure  ;  yet  his  figure  has  both  leaves  and  flowers  too 
large  and  too  sharp. 


No.  4. 

ALETRIS  FABINOSA. 


VOBALY   STARWORT. 


N*o.4.  AZiSTRXS.  37 

...  I  ■  .■ .,  ,   .        ,  ■  ,  I       i  ^^^        

No.  4. 

ALETRIS  FARINOSA. 

English  Name— MEALY  STARWORT. 

French  Name — Aletris  Meunier. 

German  Name — Mehlige  Sterngrass. 

Officinal  Name — Aletris  Radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Star-Grass,  Blazing  Star,  Alo- 
root,  Bitter  Grass,  Unicorn  Root,  Ague  Root,  Ague 
Grass,  Star-root,  Devil's-bit. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Wildenow,  Michaux, 
Schoepf,  Pursh,  Elliot,  Cutler,  Bigelow  Mat.  Med. 
fig.  50  bad,  Bigelow  Sequel,  &c. 


Genus  Aletris — Perigone  simple,  corolliform, 
tubular,  persistent,  six  cleft,  wrinkled,  six  stamina 
inserted  at  the  base  of  the  segments.  Germ  one 
oblong.  Style  one  triangular  tripartible.  Capsul 
three  celled,  many  seeded,  opening  at  the  top — Leaves 
radical,  stem  simple,  scaly,  flowers  in  a  slender  spike. 

Species  Al.  Farinosa — Leaves  lanceolate  mucro- 
nate  membranaceous,  scales  adpressed,  subulate, 
flowers  cylindrical,  white,  farinaceous. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial  small,  black 
outside,  brown  inside,  ramose,  crooked — Radical 
leaves  from  six  to  twelve,  spreading  on  the  ground 
like  a  star  ;  but  all  unequal  in  size,  sessile,  lanceolate, 
entire,  very  smooth,  membranaceous,  with  many 
longitudinal    yeins,    sometimes    canaliculate,    very 

p 


:38  ALETRIS.  Ko.  4. 

sharp  at  the  end  :  they  are  of  a  pale  green  or  glan- 
cous,  and  bleach  in  winter  or  by  drying;  the  longest 
are  four  inches — Stem  from  one  to  two  feet  high, 
:very  simple  and  upright,  scapiform  or  nearly  naked, 
Avith  remote,  scales,  whitish,  adpressed,  sometimes 
changing  into  leaves,  subulate,  acute. 

Flowers  white,  forming  a  long  slender  scattered 
spike ;  each  flower  has  a  minute  bract  and  very 
short  pedicel ;  shape  oblong,  spreading  into  six  acute 
segments  like  a  star  at  the  top,  the  outside  has  a 
mealy,  rugose  appearance — six  short  stamina  are  in- 
serted near  the  mouth,  anthers  cordate.  Germ 
one,  central  (not  inferior)  pyramidal.  Style  one, 
separable  into  three.  Capsul  triangular,  clothed  by 
the  perigone,  triangular,  three  valved  at  the  top, 
three  celled,  and  with  many  central  minute  seeds. 

HISTORY — A  true  natural  genus  peculiar  to 
North  America,  and  containing  two  species  very 
similar  to  each  other.  The  Jl.  Jiurea  differs  merely 
by  narrower  leaves,  and  yellow  flowers  more  cam- 
panulate.  "Vhe  %,^.  fragrans,  and  others  of  Africa, 
must  form  a  peculiar  genus,  the  Osmanthes,  different 
from  this  in  habit  and  fruit.  Both  American  species 
have  the  same  properties. 

This  genus  does  not  belong  to  Liliacea  nor  %^S' 
phodelides  ;  but  to  Aloides,  next  to  ^loes  and  Cri- 
?ium,  in  the  natural  arrangement.  In  the  Linnaean 
it  ranks  in  Hexandria  Monogynia.  Aletris  means 
a  miller  in  Greek,  and  farinosa  means  mealy  in 
Latin  ;  both  names  allude  to  the  mealy  appearance  of 
the  flowers. 


No.  4.  AXiETnZS.  39 

This  species  has  a  wide  range,  being  found  from 
New  England  to  Georgia,  and  west  to  Kentucky  and 
Missouri.  But  the  A,  Aurea  is  confined  to  llie  south 
from  Carolina  to  Alabama.  I'he  A.  farinosa  is  also 
more  abundant  in  the  south,  and  always  confined  to 
dry  and  poor  soils,  in  sunny  glades  and  fields.  It  is 
unknown  in  the  rich  limestone  soils  and  alluvial  re- 
gions. In  Kentucky  and  the  west  it  is  confined  to 
the  hilly  glades,  open  prairies  and  barrens  of  the 
knob-hills.  It  is  cstival,  blossoming- in  June  and 
July. 

Many  vulgar  names  given  to  it  are  common  to 
other  plants,  dissimilar  in  properties  if  not  in  aspect. 

The  Veratrum  luteum  or  dioicum  which  is  also 
called  Star-grass,  may  be  distinguished  by  its  thick 
plumose  dioical  spike.  The  Sisyrinchium,  another 
Star-grass,  has  single,  blue  and  triandrous  flowers, 
besides  long  grass  leaves.  Unicorn -root  is  :ilso  a 
name  of  Vtratrum  and  of  Neottia.     Aoue-root  is  a 

o 

name  applicable  to  a  dozen  roots.  Such  is  the  con- 
fusion arising  from  vulgar  names.  The  root  is  the 
part  employed,  and  being  small,  does  not  afford  much 
hope  to  become  an  article  of  trade. 

Qualities — The  root  contains  an  intense  bitter 
emulsive  resin,  soluble  in  Alcohol,  somewhat  similar 
to  Aloes,  but  less  cathartic.  This  bitter  principle  is 
also  partly  soluble  in  water.  The  tincture  is  render- 
ed milky  by  water.  'J  he  resin  is  therefore  different 
from  Amarine  and  Aloine,  and  is  perhaps  a  peculiar 
compound,  %filetrine^  formed  by  Amarine.  an  oil  and 
a  gum. 


No.  5. 

ANDROMEDA  ARBOREA. 


SORIUBi;   TRfifi. 


No.  5.  A3TDROMSBA.  41 


No-  5. 

ANDROMEDA   ARBOREA. 

English  Name— SORREL  TREE. 

French   Name — Andromedier. 

German  Name — Safer  Haum. 

Officinal  Name — Andromeda  folia,  lignum,  &c' 

Vulgar  Names — Sour  Tree,  Sour  Wood,  Elk 
Tree,  Elk  Wood,  Sorrel  Wood,  Sour  Leaf. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Clayton,  Michaux  Flora 
and  Sylva,  Pursh,  Elliot,  SchoepC,  W.  Barton  Flora 
fig.  30. 


Genus  Andromeda — Calix  minute  five  parted. 
Corolla  ovate  or  cylindric,  border  live  cleft.  Stami- 
na ten  inclosed  equal.  One  Pistil  superior  inclosed, 
style  pentagonal.  Capsul  five  celled,  five  valved, 
valves  septiferous,  many  minute  seeds. 

Species  A.  Arborea — Leaves  petiolate,  oblong 
acuminate,  smooth,  beneath  glaucous  ;  Panicle  termi- 
nal and  loose,  flowers  racemose  and  lateral.  Co- 
rolla ovoid  pubescent,  anthers  linear  mutic. 

DESCRIPTION— A  small  tree  from  fifteen  to 
forty  feet  high,  seldom  fifty  to  sixty.  Branches  cy- 
lindrical, slender.  Bark  of  the  stem  light  brown,  of 
the  old  branches  reddish,  of  the  young  shoots  green. 

Leaves  large,  crowded,  alternate  and  jjotiolatc, 
from  three  to  six  inches  long,  from  one  to  two  brdad, 
oblong,  base  acute,  end  acuminate,  margin  often  nn- 

D  2 


4S  ANOXIOMSDA.  No.  5. 

dulate,  entire,  or  sometimes  serrulate,  nerve  with 
regular  veins,  surface  smooth,  glossy,  green  above, 
glaucous  beneath,  the  young  leaves  are  slightly 
downy  at  first. 

Flowers  white,  terminal,  one  third  of  an  inch  long,' 
forming  a  large,  loose  panicle,  composed  of  many 
Jong  and  loose  racemes,  bearing  each  from  twelve  to 
twenty  flowers  pedunculate,  alternate  and  secund — 
Calix  small,  greenish,  with  five  acute  teeth — Corolla 
pubescent  ovate  with  five  acute  teeth — Stamina  and 
Pistil  inside  of  the  Corolla ;  ten  equal  filaments,  an- 
thers small  mutic  linear — Pistil  one,  germ  oval, 
style  pentagonal  persistent,  stigma  obtuse— Capsuls 
ovate  mucronate,  reddish  brown,  with  five  cells  con- 
taining many  small  subulate  seeds,  imbricate  and 
membranaceous. 

HISTORY— The  Genus  Andromeda  belongs  to 
the  natural  order  of  Ekicides  or  extensive  heath 
tribe  ;  and  to  Decaxdria  Monogynia  of  Linnaeus. 
The  name  is  poetical  or  mythological,  being  dedicated 
to  the  Nymph  Andromeda. 

This  species  is  the  largest  and  the  only  tree  of  the 
genus,  whence  its  specific  name  ;  all  the  others  being 
shrubs,  many  of  which  are  ornamental  like  this,  and 
mostly  native  of  Nortli  America.  This  tree  attains 
its  largest  size  in  the  most  southern  states ;  but  be- 
comes almost  a  shrub  in  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 
It  blossoms  in  May. 

The  common  names  of  tliis  tree  have  all  a  reference 
to  the  acidity  of  the  leaves  and  wood.  The  elk  and 
^&ex  eat  those  leaves,  and  even  cattle  like  themv 


No.  5.  ANDZIOIMECDA.  43 

They  are  palatable  and  allay  thirst  when  chewed  by 
the  hunters  in  want  of  water. 

Locality — The  Alleghany  mountains,  and  the 
hills  and  valleys  diverging  from  them,  as  far  as  their 
most  southern  limits  in  Georgia  and  Alabama  ;  but 
seldom  met  north  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  although 
Schoepf  gives  New  York  as  its  northern  range.  It 
is    unknown  in    the    alluvial  and  limestone  regions. 

Qualities — A  fine  acid,  (is  it  the  malic  acid  ?) 
similar  to  that  of  the  cranberries  and  whortleberries 
is  diffused  throughout  this  tree,  and  most  unfolded  in 
the  leaves  ;  but  united  to  some  astringency  owing  to 
a  mixture  of  gallic  acid. 

PROPERTIES— The  leaves  and  wood  are  a  fine 
astringent  acid,  refreshing,  cooling,  allaying  thirst, 
and  antifebrile.  Clayton  says  that  a  decoction  of 
the  leaves  mitigates  the  ardour  of  fevers,  and  helps 
their  cure.  It  is  useful  in  all  cases  where  a  refrige- 
rant astrin2:ent  is  needed.  A  kind  of  lemonade  can 
be  made  v/ith  it.  It  may  be  substituted  to  the  Rhtis 
glabrttm, or  shumac,  and  the  cranbeiries.  Like  shu- 
mac  the  leaves  impart  a  black  color  to  wool.  The  wood 
is  soft,  reddish,  and  will  not  burn  ]  but  like  the  buck- 
eye wood  may  be  used  to  make  chip  hats  and  paper. 
Substitutes — Shumac  berries — Pomegranate- 
Strawberries — Cranberries — Currants — Sorrels, &c.— 
with  many  other  mild  vegetable  astringents  and  acids. 

RcMARKs — B.  Barton  mentions  the  t/S,  Mariana 
another  species  as  pernicious,  but  a  decoction  of  it 
useful  in  ulcers  of  the  feet,  for  which  this  might  be 
perhaps  substituted. 


41f  AKTBSXMtZS.  No.  6. 

No.  6. 

ANTHEMIS   COTULA. 

English  Name— WILD  CAMOMILE. 

French   Name — Camomile  Puante. 

German  Name — Stinkende  Kamille. 

Officinal  Names — Cotula,  Camomlla  Spuria. 

VuLOAR  Namer — May-Weed,  Dog's  Fennel,  Dil- 
iy,  Dilweed,  Fieldweed,  &c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Wildenow,  Pursh,  La- 
mark,  Schoepf,  Dispensaries,  Bigelow  Seq.  W.  Bar- 
ton Mat.  Med.  fig.  14. 


Genus    Anthemis — Flowers    compound    radiate 
Perianthe  hemispherical  imbricate.     Rays  above  five, 
female.     Phoranthe  conical,  chaffy.      Seeds  naked. 

Species  A.  Cotula — Annual  puberulent,  stem 
angular,  furrowed,  branched-  Leaves  bipinnatifid, 
sessile,  carinate,  pinnules  linear,  acute.  Peduncles 
grooved,  naked,  thicker  above  ;  chaff"  bristly,  seeds 
obovate,  four  sided,  furrowed. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  annual,  crooked,  fibrous. 
Stem  and  leaves  covered  v/itli  short,  adpressed,  wooly 
hairs.  Stem  from  one  to  two  feet  high,  erect  and 
very  much  branched,  irregularly  angular  and  striated  ; 
branches  corymbose.  Leaves  alternate  sessile,  flat, 
doubly  pinnatifid,  or  almost  pinnate,  carinate  beneath 
in  the  middle ;  pinnules  flat  unequal,  linear,  acute, 
eTitire  or  trifid. 


No.  6 

ANTHEMIS  COTULA. 


WILD  CAMOXKULB. 


No.  6.  AKTHEMZS.  45 

Flowers  many,  forming  a  terminal  corymb ;  each 
on  a  naked  peduncle,  erect,  grooved  and  thicker  up- 
wards. Perianthe  or  common  calyx,  hemispherical, 
imbricated  hairy,  rough  ;  scales  linear,  pale  green, 
nearly  equal,  scariose  on  the  margin  and  end.  The 
central  florets  of  the  disk  are  numerous  and  bright 
yellow  ;  those  of  the  rays  are  ligular,  from  seven  to 
twelve,  and  white.  Phoranthe  or  common  recepta- 
cle conical,  covered  with  short  bristly  chaff,  or  palea. 

Central  florets  tubular,  glandular,  five-toothed,  with 
five  stamina,  anthera  united.  Germ  inferior  obo- 
vate.  Style  filiform  bifid.  Stigmas  two  filiform 
reflexed. 

Rays  or  ligular  florets  without  stamina,  oblong, 
two  nerved,  bidentate  or  tridentate  at  the  end. 

Seeds  brown,  obovate,  four  sided,  grooved  and 
tuberculated. 

HISTORY— The  genus  Cotula  of  Toumefort  has 
been  blended  with  Anthemis  by  Linnaeus,  from 
which  the  naked  seeds,  without  a  membranaceous 
appendage,  and  the  conical  instead  of  convex  phoran- 
the, partly  distinguish  it,  so  as  to  allow  of  a  subgenus 
or  section  at  least. 

There  appears  to  be  some  differences  between  the 
^i.  Cotula  of  the  north  and  south  of  Europe  and 
our  American  plant ;  but  although  the  various  bota- 
nical descriptions  offer  several  trifling  diversities, 
they  hardly  amount  to  specific  distinctions.  Our  de- 
scription applies  to  the  American  plant.  The  Euro- 
pean is  smoother,  more  fetid,  and  sometimes  describ- 
ed with  bipinnate  leaves,  and  trifid  folioles.     I  have 


46  ANTHESdZS.  No.  6. 

seen  both,  and  once  had  distinguished  this  by  the 
name  oi  %^.  Cotuloides  ;  but  being  unwilling'to  inno- 
vate in  this  work,  I  have  followed  our  Botanists  in 
uniting  the  plants  of  both  continents,  although  I  great- 
ly doubt  the  botanical  propriet}^  of  it. 

It  blossoms  from  June  to  November,  affording  a 
profusion  of  flowers  in  succession,  of  the  size  of 
Camomile,  but  never  double.  The  v/hole  plant  has  a 
strong  graveolent  smell,  disagreeable  to  some  per- 
sons, but  not  fetid.  It  is  not  eaten  by  cattle  nor 
domestic  animals. 

The  name  of  Jinthemis  is  Greek,  and  applies  to  the 
profusion  of  flowers.  Cotula  is  a  diminutive  of  Cota% 
aaother  plant  of  the  same  genus. 

Jinthemis  belongs  to  the  natural  tribe  of  Radiates, 
section  oi  Antheniides.  In  the  Linnean  system  it  is 
placed  in  class  Syngenesia.  Order  Polygamia  Su- 
per flua. 

Abundant  as  it  is,  the  collection  of  it  becomes  easy; 
the  whole  plant  may  be  dried  when  in  bloom,  or  the 
blossoms  alone  may  be  collected. 
.  Locality — Our  plant  is  indigenous  and  not  natu- 
ralized as  mentioned  by  some  Botanists.  It  is  spread 
all  over  the  United  States  from  Maine  to  Louisiana  ; 
but  confined  almost  every  where  to  open  fields.  It 
is  never  found  in  woods,  but  delights  in  the  sun,  road 
sides,  stony  places  and  old  fields,  or  near  towns  and 
villages.  It  is  scarce  in  mountains,  but  prefers  the 
limestone  soils  and  plains.  It  is  extremely  abundant 
on  the  Ohio  and  in  the  Western  States,  covering  ne- 
glected fields,  and  alternating  in  fallows  with  the  Iron- 


No.  6.  ANTBXSMZS.  4*7 

weed  or  Vernonia,  It  is  deemed  a  troublesome 
weed,  although  being  annual  it  is  easily  destroyed  by 
early  ploughings. 

Qualities — Graveolent,  bitter,  and  nauseous ; 
the  smell  of  the  plant  resides  in  a  Volatile  Oil,  pos- 
sessed of  a  strong  or  graveolent  aroma,  and  diffused 
throughout  the  plant,  although  more  concentrated  in 
the  flowers.  It  is  similar  to  the  smell  of  Camomile,  but 
more  pungent,  and  less  balsamic.  This  oil  is  bitter  and 
communicates  a  bitterish  acrid  taste  to  the  whole  plant. 

PROPERTIES — The  same  as  those  of  Camomile, 
but  weaker  and  less  pleasant  to  the  taste  :  it  may  be 
substituted  thereto  with  safety.  It  is  an  active  tonic, 
sodorific,  stimulant,  anodyne,  emetic,  and  repellent; 
extensively  used  throughout  the  country  for  rheuma- 
tism, hysterics,  epilepsy,  dropsy,  asthma,  scrofula,  &c, 
both  internally  and  externally.  The  external  use  in 
warm  baths  or  fomentations  is  proper  in  rheumatism, 
hysteric  fits,  suffocations,  hemorrhoidal  swellings, 
pains  and  contusions.  The  decoction  and  infusion  are 
given  for  colds,  fevers,  rheumatism,  asthma,  &c.  but 
a  single  cupful,  if  too  strong,  may  produce  vomiting, 
and  even  a  weak  infusion  nauseates  the  stomach.  It 
acts  always  as  a  sudorific,  promoting  copious  sweating, 
and  is  often  beneficial  as  an  auxiliary  to  an  emetic. 
In  large  doses  it  becomes  emetic  :  in  small  ones  it  is 
a  gentle  tonic  and  diaphoretic,  useful  whenever  it  is 
needful  to  promote  perspiration  in  fevers.  Its  advan- 
tages in  epilepsy,  dropsy  and  scrofula,  are  doubtful. 
The  European  plant  is  said  to  blister  the  hands,  which 
is  not  the  case  with  ours. 


ANTBEXMtZS.  No.  6, 


Substitutes — Camomile  or  Matricaria  Chamo- 
mila — Eupatorium  perfoliatum — Ruta  vulgaris 
or  Rue — Hedeoma  pulegioides  or  Fenny-royal — 
Marruhium  Vulgare  or  Horehound — Achillea  mil- 
lefolium or  Yarrow — Tanacttum  or  Tansey,  with  all 
the  graveolent  bitter  tonics  and  sudorifics. 

Remarks — The  figure  in  Henry's,  under  the  name 
of  May  weed,  is  quite  fictitious,  having  entire  leaves; 
but  his  article  applies  to  this  plant. 


No.  T. 


APOGYNUM  ANDROSEMIFOLIUM. 

-^- — ^— — i — ■ •  V"  ;•-    '  .1     V     '  :  ' 


BITTZSR   DOGSBANS. 


%: 


*••?» 


No.  7  JLTOCYISnmi,  4,9 

No.  7. 

APOCYNUM  ANDROSEMIFOLIUlii: 

English  Name— BITTER  DOGSBANE. 
French   Name— Apocyn  Amer. 
German  Name — Fliegen  Fangemdes. 
Officinal  Name — Apocynum  radix. 
\  llgar  Names — Milk- weed,  Bitter-root,  Honey- 
. m,  Catchfly,  Flytrap,  Ipecac. 
Authorities — Linnaeus,  Kalm,  Michaux,  Pursh, 
Schoepf,  Elliot,  Bigelow,  fig.  36,  &.c. 


Genus  Apocynum — Calyx  five  cleft.  Corolla  bell 
shaped,  five  cleft.  Five  Corpuscles  surrounding  the 
germ.  Five  Anthers  alternating  with  them,  conni- 
vent  and  adhering  by  the  middle  to  the  stegyne  or 
cover  of  the  pistils,  which  are  two,  small  and  conceals- 
•'.d;  succeeded  by  two  follicles,  with  numerous  downy 
oceds. 

Species  A.  Androsemifolium — Smooth,  stem 
erect,  dichotome ;  leaves  petiolate,  opposite,  entire, 
acute  ;  cymes  nodding,  lateral,  and  terminal,  beyond 
the  leaves.     Follicles  linear. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  large,  bitter 
and  milky  like  the  whole  plant.  Stem  very  smooth  as 
well  as  ^he  leaves,  lactecent  and  with  a  tough  fibrous 
bark :  from  three  to  five  feet  high,  with  few  branches 
and  leaves,  cylindrical,  often  rose  coloured  :  forked 
several  times  upwards.     Leaves  opposite,  petiolate, 

£ 


dO  APOCYNUM,  No.  r. 

pale  beneath,  ovate,  acute,  entire,  two  or  three  inches 
long,  with  one  large  nerve. 

Flowers  on  cymose  racemes,  lateral  and  terminal; 
always  longer  than  the  leaves,  lax  nodding  and  few 
flowered.  Minute  acute  bracts  on  the  peduncles. 
Calyx  short,  five  cleft,  acute.  Corolla  white,  tinged 
with  red,  similar  to  a  little  bell,  divided  into  five 
spreading  acute  segments  at  the  top.  Stamina  five, 
with  short  filaments,  anthers  connivent  arrow  shap- 
ed, cohering  with  the  stegyne  or  singular  body  co- 
vering and  concealing  the  pistils,  (mistaken  for  a  stig- 
ma by  many  Botanists) :  it  is  thick  and  round.  Five 
glandular  corpuscles,  (called  nectaries  by  some,)  al- 
ternate with  the  stamina.  Two  pistils  ovate,  con- 
cealed, two  sessile  stigmas.  Fruit  a  pair  of  follicles, 
slender,  linear,  acute,  drooping,  cylindrical.  Seeds 
numerous,  oblong,  embricate,  seated  on  a  central  re- 
ceptacle or  spermophore,  and  crowned  by  a  long 
down. 

HISTORY — -A  pretty  and  interesting  plant  be- 
longing to  a  very  distinct  genus,  which  gives  name  to 
a  large  natural  tribe  of  plants  the  Apocynes,  distin- 
guished by  the  singular  stegyne,  double  follicles,  &c. 
In  the  Linnaean  system  they  are  put  in  Pentandria 
digynia,  although  the  stegyne  was  mistaken  for  a 
single  stigma. 

Apocynum  means  dogsbane  in  Greek,  and  the 
specific  name  implies  the  similitude  of  the  leaves  to 
%/indrosemum.  There  are  some  other  species  of  the 
same  genus  in  North  America,  but  none  so  pretty. 
All  have  small  white  flowers,  while  in  this  the  flow- 


No.  r.  APOClTNUiyX.  51 

ers  are  larger,  flesh  or  rose  coloured.  The  Sp.  can* 
nabinum  has  been  used  by  the  Americans  to  make 
a  kind  of  hemp  :  the  fibrous  tough  bark  of  all  the  spe- 
cies are  calculated  to  afford  it  by  maceration.  AH 
have  a  bitter  milky  juice,  and  yet  the  flowers  smell 
of  honey,  and  produce  that  sweet  substance. 

Bees  and  other  insects,  collect  this  honey;  but 
small  flies  are  often  caught  by  inserting  their  probos- 
cis between  the  fissures  of  the  anthers,  where  it  is 
jiot  easy  for  them  to  extricate  it ;  they  are  often  seen 
dead  in  that  confined  situation,  after  unavailing  strug- 
gles. Whence  one  of  the  names  of  this  plant,  Catch- 
fly.     No  animals  eat  it. 

Locality — Rather  a  common  plant,  found  from 
Canada  to  Georgia  and  Missouri.  It  grows  in  woods, 
hills,  dry  or  sandy  soils,  along  fences,  and  over  old 
fields  :  it  is  rare  in  limestone  soils,  and  rich  land.  It 
blossoms  in  summer  from  June  to  July. 

Qualities — Kalm  has  mentioned  this  plant  to  be 
poisonous  and  blistering  like  Rhus  Vernix ;  but  it  is 
quite  harmless.  The  root  when  chewed  has  an  in- 
tensely bitter  and  unpleasant  taste,  perceptible  in  the 
whole  plant  in  a  lesser  degree,  except  the  flowers,  and 
arising  from  the  bitter  milk  it  contains.  The  decoc- 
tion is  of  a  red  colour  and  very  bitter.  The  spiritu- 
ous solution  is  colourless  but  bitter.  It  contains  there- 
fore a  bitter  principle  soluble  in  water  and  alcohol, 
and  a  colouring  principle  not  soluble  in  alcohol ;  be- 
sides a  volatile  oil  and  caoutchouc. 

PROPERTIES— This  is  a  very  active  plant,  high 
\y    valued  by  the  Southern  Indians,      It  is  tonic, 


5S  APOCYNUM.  No.  7u 


f^metic,  alterative  and  syphilitic.  The  root  is  the 
most  powerful  part :  but  it  must  be  used  fresh,  since 
time  diminishes  or  destroys  its  power.  At  the  dose 
of  thirty  grains  of  the  fresh  powdered  root,  it  acts  as 
an  emetic,  equal  to  Ipecacuana  ;  in  smaller  doses  it  is 
:i  tonic,  useful  in  dyspepsia  and  fevers.  The  Chicka- 
s-aw  and  Choctaw  Nations  employ  it  in  syphilis,  and 
•ionsider  it  a  specific,  they  use  the  fresh  root  chewed, 
swallowing  only  the  juice.  This  later  use  has  been 
introduced  into  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  as  a  great 
secret.  It  must  act  as  a  tonic  in  all  those  cases,  to- 
nics being  often  emetic  and  antivenereal.  An  ob- 
jection to  this  plant  is  its  nauseous  bitter  taste.  Many 
substitutes  may  be  found  of  a  less  disagreeable  na- 
ture. 

Substitutes — Ipecacuana — Eupatorium  perfo- 
llatum^-^Prenanthes  opicrina — Lobelia  siphilitica 
— Jiletris  farinosa — Sanicula  marilandica — Eu^ 
phorbia  Corollata  ^'  E.  Ipecacuana — Frasera-—' 
Mezereon — Gaayncum,  &c.  and  all  bitter  tonics  or 
emetics. 

Remarks — Barton  and  Henry  have  not  mentioned 
this  plant.  Bigelovv  represents  it  with  leaves  too 
sharp  or  acuminate.  All  the  other  species  of  the  same 
genus  have  the  same  properties  in  a  lesser  degree. 
The  A.  cannabinum  is  distinguished  from  this  by 
smaller  leaves  and  flowers  in  shorter  panicles  ;  while 
the  A.  hypericifolium  has  prostrated  stems  with  nar- 
row leaves,  and  grows  only  on  the  banks  of  streams 
and  lakes. 


ARALIA  NUDICAULIS. 


SMAKK    SVtXEKARD. 


No.  8.  ARAUA.  53 

No.  8- 

ARALIA  NUDICAULIS. 

English  Name— SMALL  SPIKENARD. 

French    Name — Petit  Nard. 

German  Name — Nardwurzel  Aralie. 

Officinal  Names — Aralia  radix,  Nardus  Ameri- 
canus. 

Vulgar  Names — Spiknard,  Sassaparil,  Sarsaparil- 
la,  Wild  Liquorice,  Sweet-root. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Wildenovv,  IVIichaux, 
Pursh,  Schoepf,  Golden,  Dispensaries,  Bigelow  Se- 
quel. 

Genus  Aralia — Calix  united  or  superior  five- 
toothed.  Petals  five  entire.  Stamina  five  epigyne 
a^lternate.  Pistil  united  to  the  calix,  five  styles  and 
stigmas.  Berry  crowned  by  the  calix  and  styles, 
five  celled,  five  seeded — Flowers  in  simple  umbels. 

Species  A.  Nudicaulis — Stem  naked,  straight^ 
smooth,  bearing  three  umbels  without  involucrum  : 
leaves  radical,  biternate  ;  folioles  ovate,  acuminate, 
serrulate. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  brown,  yellow- 
ish, cylindrical,  creeping  twisted,  sometimes  many 
feet  long,  thickness  of  the  finger.  One  stem  and  one 
leaf  mostly  rising  together,  and  less  than  two  ket 
high.  The  stem  is  straight,  leafless,  cylindric,  with 
three  sftiall  simple  naked  umbels  at  the  end.     Leaf 


54*  ARAZ.XA.  No.  8. 

biternate  or  with  nine  folioles,  the  lateral  ones  sessile, 
the  terminal  ones  petiolate,  all  ovate,  oblong,  round- 
ed at  the  base,  end  acuminate,  margin  serrulate,  sur- 
face smooth.  Sometimes  some  folioles  are  coales- 
cent. 

Flowers  from  twelve  to  thirty  in  each  umbel,  pe- 
dunculate, small,  yellowish.  Calix  greenish,  obconi- 
cal,  united  to  the  pistil,  crowned  with  five  teeth. 
Petals  five,  oboval,  obtuse,  yellowish  white.  Five 
stamina  and  five  styles  filiform.  Berries  small,  round, 
similar  to  Elder  berries  in  size. 

HISTORY— The  genus  ^ralia  is  the  type  of  a 
natural  tribe  the  Aralides,  to  which  Panax  or  Gin- 
seng belongs  likewise  ;  this  last  differing  only  by  hav- 
ing two  styles  and  two  cells  instead  of  five.  This 
family  differs  from  the  Umbellate  by  producing 
berries  instead  of  two  seeds.  All  the  plants  of  this 
genus  and  family  have  active  properties.  Two  other 
American  species  v^.  racemosa  and  ji.  hispida^  have 
the  same  properties  as  this,  and  may  be  used  for  each 
other.  The  ji.  spinosa  or  Angelica  Tree  partakes  of 
the  same,  and  also  of  the  properties  of  Angelica  root 
and  Xanthoxylum. 

Aralia  belongs  to  Pentandria  ptntagynia  of 
Linnaeus. 

This  species  blossoms  in  summer.  It  is  often  called 
Sarsaparilla,  the  root  being  similar  to  that  article,  and 
having  similar  properties.  It  might  become  an  arti- 
cle of  trade  as  such,  and  deserves  to  be  cultivated. 

Locality — Found  from  New-England  to  Carolina, 
Snd   Indiana,  more  conrimon  in  the  north   than  the 


Na.  8.  ARAZiZA.  55 

south  :  it  delights  in  deep  woods,  shady  groves  and 
valleys,  good  soils,  &c. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  is  balsamic,  fragrant, 
and  has  a  warm  aromatic  sweetish  taste  ;  most  un- 
folded in  the  root  and  berries.  They  contain  muci- 
lage, aroma,  and  an  essential  milky  oil  or  balsam. 

PROPERTIES—All  the  Spikenards  or  Aralias 
are  popular  medical  plants  throughout  the  United 
States  :  they  made  part  of  the  Materia  Medica  of  the 
native  tribes,  and  are  extensively  used  by  country 
practitioners.  They  are  vulnerary,  pectoral,  sudori- 
fic, stimulant,  diaphoretic,  cordial,  depurative,  &c. 
The  roots  and  berries  are  most  efficient ;  in  Ji.  spi- 
nosa  the  bark. 

The  roots  bruised  or  chewed,  or  in  poultice,  are 
used  for  all  kinds  of  wounds  and  ulcers  by  the  In- 
dians. Fomentations  and  cataplasms  are  useful  for 
cutaneous  affections,  crysipels  and  ring-worms.  An 
infusion  or  a  decoction  of  the  same,  are  efficient  sub- 
stitutes for  those  of  Sarsaparilla,  (and  more  powerful,) 
in  all  diseases  of  the  blood,  syphilitic  complaints, 
chronical  rheumatism,  local  pains,  cardialgy,  belly- 
ache, &c.  As  a  pectoral  both  roots  and  berries  may 
be  used  in  syrups,  cordials,  decoctions,  &c.  and  have 
been  found  useful  in  coughs,  catarrh,  cachexia,  lan- 
gour,  pains  in  the  breast,  &c.  The  cordial  of  Spike- 
nard berries  is  recommended  for  the  gout,  and  the 
juice  or  essential  oil  for  the  ear  ache  and  deafness. 

Substitutes — All  the  Aralias — Elder — Sarsapa- 
rilla— Guayac — Angelica-root — Cunila  mariana — 
Sassafras — Ginseng — Eryngiuni  aquaticum — Xan- 


56  ARAt.XA.  No.  g. 

thoxylum  or  Prickly  Ash — Magnolia  Bark — Collin- 
sonia  Canadensis,  &c.  and  many  aromatic  stimu- 
lants. 

Remarks — Henry  calls  this  plant  Nardus  Ame- 
ricanus,  and  his  figure  is  fictitious,  being  like  Fennel. 

Since  all  our  species  may  be  substituted  to  each 
other,  and  we  can  only  give  the  figure  of  one  at  pre- 
sent, it  may  be  well  to  add  a  short  notice  of  each. 

./?.  racemosa  or  Large  Spikenard — Root  larger  and 
thicker.  Plant  larger.  Stem  leafy,  leaves  similar  to 
Ji.  nudicauUsj  but  with  larger  and  cordate  folioles. 
Flowers  in  large  axillary  clusters,  formed  of  many 
racemose  umbels — Common  from  Canada  to  Alabama. 

Ji.  hispida  or  Rough  Spikenard — Stem  hispid, 
leaves  decomposed,  folioles  small  oval,  um.bels  ter- 
minal, &c. — Confined  to  Canada,  New-Endand, 
^'€w-York,  and  the  Alleghanies. 

A,  spinosa  or  Spikenard  Tree,  called  also  Angeli- 
ca Tree,  Tooth-Ache  Tree,  and  Prickly  Elder — A 
small  tree  full  of  thorns,  leaves  ample,  decomposed, 
prickly.  Flowers  terminal,  forming  an  amp'e  pani- 
cle of  umbels— From  New-York  to  Georgia,  and 
west  to  Missouri,  &c. 


m 


No.  9. 

ARBUTUS  UVA-URSI. 


No.  9.  AHBVTUS.  Sy 

No.  9. 

ARBUTUS  UVA-URSL 

English  Name— BEAR-BERRY. 

French   Name — Bousserole  Raisin  d'Ours. 

German  Name — Erdbeartegb  Sandbeere. 

Officinal  Name — Uva-Ursi. 

Vulgar  Names — Mountain  Box,  Redberry,  Up- 
land Cranberry. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Woodville,  Michaux, 
Pursh,  J.  S.  Mitchell,  Murray,  Girardi,  Dispensa- 
ries, Schoepf,  Ferriar,  Dehaen,  B.  Barton,  Bigelow, 
fig.  6,  and  Sequel,  &c. 


Genus  Arbutus — Calix  five  parted  and  free.  Co- 
rolla ovate,  five  toothed.  Stamina  ten  basilar,  fila- 
ments hairy,  anthers  bifid,  each  part  bipore.  One 
pistil,  one  style,  stigma  simple.  Berry  free,  five 
celled. 

Species  A.  Uva-  Ursi — Stem  procumbent ;  leaves 
scattered,  cuneate,  obovate,  entire,  coriaceous  :  flow- 
ers in  small  clusters,  peduncles  reflexed,  bracteolate  : 
berries  globular,  smooth,  five  seeded. 

DESCRIPTION — Roots  perennial,  creeping,  slen- 
der. Stems  procumbent,  trailing,  cespitose,  radicate, 
the  young  shoots  tending  upwards,  cylindric,  cuticle 
pealing  off.  Leaves  numerous,  scattered,  variable  in 
shape,  narrow  or  broad,  always  acute  and  alternate  at 
the  base,  on  short  petiols,  thick,  coriaceous,  evergreen^ 


58  ARBUTUS.  No.^. 

j» .    - I .      ..  ,       ,  ■■■     ■ 

and  smooth,  shining  above,  pale  beneath,  margin  en- 
tire, thick  or  rounded,  and  nearly  obtuse. 

Flowers  nearly  terminal  in  a  small  racemose  clus- 
ter, from  six  to  twelve  together,  of  a  pale,  rosy,  flesh 
color.  Peduncles  shorter  than  the  flowers,  colored, 
reflexed,  with  some  minute  acute  bracts,  two  of  which 
in  the  middle.  Calix  colored,  with  five  rounded 
acute  segments.  Corolla  ovate,  urceolate,  white  with 
a  rosy  tinge,  transparent  at  the  base,  contracted  above, 
hairy  inside,  with  five  acute,  short,  and  reflexed  seg- 
ments or  teeth.  Ten  equal  stamina  inserted  at  the 
base  of  the  corolla,  with  hairy,  short,  cuneate  fila- 
ments, anthers  equal  in  length,  bifid,  each  part  with 
two  pores.  Germ  round,  style  straight,  longer  than 
the  stamina,  stigma  obtuse.  A  black  indented  and 
persistent  ring  around  the  base  of  the  germ,  called 
nectary  or  gynophore.  Berries  globular,  depressed, 
of  a  scarlet  color,  pulp  insipid,  mealy,  five  seeds  al- 
most coalescent  together. 

HISTORY — The  G.  Arbutus  is  very  near  to  Vac* 
ciriium,  (whortleberry,)  differing  chiefly  by  the  free 
calix  and  berry,  and  to  Andromeda,  which  has  a  cap- 
sul  instead  of  a  berry  for  fruit.  It  is  divided  into  two 
sections  or  subgenera,  (by  some  considered  as  gene- 
ra.) 1.  Unedo,  having  a  rough,  many  seeded  berry. 
2.  3fairania,  a  smooth  five  seeded  berry.  To  this 
last  belongs  our  actual  species.  Arbutus  is  an  an- 
cient name,  Mairania  is  dedicated  to  the  French  phi- 
losopher Mairan,  Uva-Ursi  means  Bear's-grape  in 
Latin.  It  was  known  under  this  last  name  to  the 
Grreeks,  and  Galen  mentions  it  as  a  medical  plant. 


No.  9.  ARBxrrns.  59 

Belonging  to  the  natural  order  of  Ericines,  (heath 
tribe,)  section  with  berries :  and  to  Decandria  mo~ 
nogyiiia  of  Linnaeus. 

Locality — This  plant  is  scattered  throughout  the 
northern  hemisphere  in  Europe,  Asia  and  America. 
In  Europe,  found  from  Lapland  to  the  Pyrenees  and 
Apenines.  In  Asia,  from  Armenia  and  the  Volga  to 
Kamtschatka.  While  in  America  it  grows  from  Ice- 
land and  Greenland  to  Hudson  Bay  and  Alaska,  ex- 
tending south  to  Canada,  New-England,  the  high- 
lands, and  hills  of  north  New-Jersey.  It  covers  dry, 
stony  and  gravelly  soils,  barren  spots,  and  even  sandy 
woods. 

It  blossoms  late,  and  the  red  berries  are  ripe  in 
winter.  These  are  eaten  by  bears,  and  man^y  other 
animals. 

The  leaves  are  chiefly  used,  and  may  be  easily  dried. 
In  Sweden  and  Russia  they  form  an  article  of  trade, 
being  used  to  tan  Russia  leather.  They  begin  to  be 
collected  in  America. 

The  Indians  smoke  them  like  tobacco,  and  call 
'them  Sagack-homi  in  Canada.     They  dye  black. 

Qualities — Taste  astringent,  styptic  and  bitterish; 
inodorous.  It  abounds  in  Tannin,  which  is  the  active 
principle,  and  is  easily  soluble  in  water.  The  other 
substances  are  mucus,  resin,  lime,  and  bitter  extrac- 
tive. 

PROPERTIES— Astringent,  tonic  and  diuretic. 
It  was  extolled  once  in  Europe  as  a  remedy  against 
gravel ;  but  has  since  been  found  to  be  only  a  toler- 
able palliative  in  nephritis,   gravel,  calculous  cases, 


60  AKBUTUS.  Nd.  9. 

disury,  strangury,  acting  as  an  astringent,  useful  even 
when  other  remedies  fail.  Dr.  Wistar,  B.  Barton, 
Mitchell,  Bigelow,  &c.  recommend  it  in  those  cases. 
It  has  also  been  used  for  leucorhea,  gonorhea,  the  ca- 
tarrh of  the  bladder,  menorhagia,  debility »  diabetes, 
cnnuresis,  disentery,  ulcerations  of  the  kidneys  and 
bladder,  and  has  often  given  relief  or  even  cured  ; 
yet  more  efficient  tonic  remedies  may  be  substituted. 

It  was  once  recommended  in  pulmonary  consump- 
tion ;  but  it  only  abates  the  hectic  feyer. 

The  powder,  decoction  or  syrup,  may  be  used. 
The  doses  are  from  five  to  twenty-five  grains  of  the 
powder,  or  a  wine  glass  of  the  decoction  every  hour. 
A  syrup  of  the  leaves  and  berries  is  made  in  Sweden, 
which  is  preferable. 

Substitutes — Chimaphila  or  Pipsiseva — ErU 
geron  Philadelphicum,  &c. — Heuchera  or  Alum- 
root— Geranium  maculatum — Statice  Cay^oliniana 
— Asparagus — Strawberries — Tannin — and  many  as- 
tringents, acids,  tonics  and  diuretics. 

Remarks — The  figure  of  Henry  is  fictitious. 


■^^ 


No.  10. 

ARISTOLOCHIA    SERPENTARU. 


SXffABBROOT    BXRTHWORT. 

.._        .^  L_  


No.  10.  ARZSTOLOOHXA.  61 

No.  10. 

ARISTOLOCHIA   SERPENTARIA. 

English  Name— SNAKEROOT  BIRTH  WORT. 

French    Name — Serpentaire  de  Virginie. 

German  Name — Schlangen  Osterluzey. 

Officinal  Name — Serpentaria  Virginiana. 

Vulgar  Names — Virginia  Snakeroot,  Snakeweed, 
Snagrel. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Schoepf,  Woodville, 
Pursh,  Elliot,  Catesby,  Golden,  Cornutus,  Moseley, 
B.  Barton,  Bigelow  fig,  49,  W.  Bart.  2.  fig.  28,  and 
all  the  Dispensaries,  Pharmacopeias  and  Materia  Me- 
dicas,  &c. 


Genus  Aristolochia — Perigone  tubular  colored, 
base  swelling,  tube  tortuose,  limb  labiate,  often  ligu- 
lar.  No  corolla.  Germ  inferior  :  stigma  sessile  lobed, 
surrounded  by  six  stamina  epigynous  sessile.  Capsul 
six  celled,  many  seeded. 

Species  A.  Serpentaria — Stem  simple  flexuose  j 
leaves  lanceolate,  cordate,  entire,  and  acuminate  : 
flowers  bilabiate  subradical,  peduncles  curved,  uni- 
flore,  scaly  and  jointed. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  knotty  and  gib- 
bose,  brown  and  very  fibrous,  fibres  long,  small,  yel- 
low when  fresh — Stems  round,  slender,  weak,  flex- 
uose, jointed,  less  than  a  foot  high,  bearing  from  three 
to  seven  leaves,  and  from  one  to  three  flowers — Leaves 

r 


0^  ARXSTOLOCnXA.  No.  10. 

alternate  and  petiolate,  oblong  or  lanceolate,  base  cor- 
dolate,  end  acuminate,  margin  entire,  sometimes  un- 
dulate, surface  smooth  or  pubescent,  of  a  pale  green. 

Flowers  nearly  radical  and  solitary,  on  peduncles  cur- 
ved, jointed,  colored,  with  some  small  scales.  Germ 
inferior,  perigone  redish  or  purplish,  tube  crooked, 
limb  bilabiate,  upper  lip  notched,  lower  entire,  both 
short  and  lobular.  Six  sessile  anthers,  oblong  ob- 
tuse, attached  to  the  sides  of  a  large  round  sessile 
stigma.  Capsul  oboval,  with  six  angles,  six  cells, 
and  many  minute  seeds. 

HISTORY — The  genus  Aristolochia  requires  a 
thorough  investigation  and  reform,  being  rather  a  fa- 
milv  than  a  2;enus  :  two  subj°jenera  at  least  must  be 
made  of  it. 

1.  Glossula.  Flowers  unilabiate  and  ligular.  True 
type  of  the  genus. 

2.  Pistolochia,  Flowers  bilabiate  and  ringent.  To 
this  belong  A,  serpentaria,  A,  ringens,  A.  bilabia- 
ta,  &c. 

While  many  species  widely  deviating  from  the  ge- 
neric characters  must  form  peculiar  genera,  such  as 

Siphwia,  Flowers  not  labiate,  limb  equal  trilobe. 
Such  are  A,  sip/io,  A.  tripteris,  A,  tomentosa^  &c. 

Endodeca,  With  twelve  stamina,  Ex.  A.  dodecan- 
dra,  and  perhaps  Bigelow's  A.  serpentaria, 

Einomeia,  With  only  five  stamina,  capsul  five 
celled,  such  as  ./^.  pentundra,  &c. 

The  actual  species  is  by  no  means  very  definite  as 
yet.  The  Virginia  Snakeroot  of  Commerce  is  col- 
lected from  half  a  dozen  species  or  varieties,  «^.  has- 


No.  10.  AKZSTOX.OCHZA.  63 


tata^  A.  tomentosa,  and  many  called  •/?.  serpcnta- 
ria,  because  they  have  consimilar  leaves  and  roots, 
while  the  flowers  are  different.  The  *^.  serpentaria 
of  W.  Barton  appears  to  be  a  peculiar  variety,  with 
long  slender  peduncles,  having  few  scales  and  not  co- 
lored, vvhile  the  flowers  are  small,  purple,  and  hard- 
ly bilabiate. 

Bigelow's  plant,  which  is  from  the  Southern  States, 
has  the  leaves  trinervate,  less  acuminate,  and  more 
undulate  ;  vvhile  the  flowers  are  large,  bilabiate  and 
red,  scales^  many  and  broad,  stamina  twelve  !  and  stigma 
lobed  convolute.  This  may  be  a  distinct  species  be- 
longing perhaps  to  Endodeca. 

Our  figure  is  from  a  large  flowered  variety  of  the 
western  glades ;  but  many  other  varieties  exist  there, 
one  has  broad  leaves. 

All  these  plants  blossom  but  seldom  or  once  in  their 
lives,  in  May  or  June  ;  being  very  similar  to  each 
other,  (except  S.  tomeiitosa,)  they  are  collected  in- 
discriminately. The  roots  alone  enter  into  Com- 
merce, and  sell  for  more  tlian  the  Seneca  Snakeroot. 
They  are  an  article  of  exportation  to  Europe. 

Aristolochia  belongs  with  Asarum  to  the  natural 
order  of  Asarides.  Linnaeus  has  put  it  into  GrxMAN- 
DRiA  hexandria. 

Locality — In  shady  woods  from  New-England  to 
Florida  and  Missouri,  most  abundant  in  the  Allegha- 
ny and  Cumberland  mountains,  scarce  in  the*  alluvial 
and  limestone  resrions. 

Qualities — The  root  has  an  agreeable,  penetrating, 
aromatic  smell,   somewhat  similar  to  Valerian  and 


i34  ARlSTOLOCRZA.  No.  10. 

Spruce  :  and  a  warm  bitterish  pungent  taste.  It 
contains  pure  camphor,  a  resin,  a  bitterish  extractive, 
and  a  strong  essential  oil.  By  distillation  a  pearly 
fluid  is  produced.  By  infusion  in  alcohol,  it  gives  a 
yellow  or  green  tincture  ;  and  in  water  a  brown  li- 
quor :  the  tincture  is  most  powerful.  By  decoction 
or  distillation  much  of  its  active  principles  evaporate, 

PROPERTIES — Diaphoretic,  tonic,  anodyne,  an- 
tispasmodic, cordial,  antiseptic,  vermifuge,  exanthe- 
matic;  alexitere,  and  a  powerful  stimulant  of  the  whole 
system.  It  was  first  introduced  into  Materia  Medica 
as  a  remedy  against  snake  bites,  whence  its  name,  and 
was  used  as  such  by  the  Indians,  with  many  other 
plants  :  it  acts  then  as  a  sudorific  and  antiseptic.  It 
is  useful  in  the  low  stage  of  fevers  to  support  strength 
and  allay  irregular  actions  :  too  stimulant  in  inflam- 
matory fevers  and  disorders  ;  but  an  excellent  auxili- 
ary to  Peruvian  bark  and  other  tonics  in  intermit- 
tents,  enabling  the  stomach  to  bear  them,  and  increas- 
ing their  effects.  In  remittent  fevers  it  is  preferable 
to  bark.  It  is  deservedly  a  popular  country  remedy 
in  infusion,  for  pleurisy,  exanthems,  cachexia,  catarrh, 
rheumatism,  &c.  acting  as  a  sudorific.  In  bilious 
pleurisy  it  has  been  found  higlily  serviceable  :  in  bi- 
lious complaints  it  checks  vomiting  and  tranquillizes 
the  stomach.  In  typhus  and  typhoid  pneumonia  it 
has  beneficial  effects,  promoting  perspiration,  check- 
ing mortification,  and  abating  the  symptoms. 

Thus  the  Snakeroot  may  be  deemed  an  active  and 
valuable  medicine,  it  is  often  associated  with  other  to- 
nics, and  camphor,  opium,  valerian,  &c.  to  increase 


Nolo.  ARZSTOLOCHZA.  Or? 


their  action.  It  is  probably  a  good  substitute  for  cam- 
phor and  valerian  in  many  cases.  The  doses  of  the 
powder  are  froni  ten  to  thirty  grains,  often  repeated, 
or  an' ounce  of  the  warm  infusion  every  three  hours. 
Wine  is  an  excellent  vehicle  for  it  in  fevers.  Many 
compound  tinctures  contain  it.  When  too  stimulant 
Spikenard  {Aralia)  and  Elder  {Samhucus)  may  be 
substituted  to  advantage. 

Substitutes Camphor Rosemary Seneca 

Snakeroot — Eupatoriuni  perfolialum — Asarum 
Canadense  and  Virginicum — All  the  native  Arts- 
tolochias — GauUheria  procumbens,  and  many  other 
tonic  and  diaphoretic  stimulants. 

Remarks — The  bark,  seeds,  and  roots  of  the  A, 
Sipko,  (or  Siphisia  glabra,,)  called  vulgarly  Dutch- 
man-pipe flower  or  Pipe  Vine,  may  be  substituted, 
having  the  same  properties.  It  is  a  tall  vine,  with 
large  cordate  smooth  leaves,  and  brown  flowers  like 
a  pipe  v^^ith  a  trilobe  mouth,  growing  on  the  Ohio,  &c. 

«/^,  tonientosa  (or  Siphisia  tonitfntosa)  is  a  low- 
vine,  with  cordate  woolly  leaves,  growing  in  the 
Western  States. 

A.  hastata  is  a  small  plant,  with  long  narrow 
leaves,  having  obtuse  auricles  at  the  base  :  it  grows 
in  the  Southern  States.  The  roots  of  these  two  last 
are  often  mixed  with  the  common  kind  in  the  shops. 

Henry's  figure  represents  probably  the  A.  iomcn- 
fosa,  but  the  leaves  are  too  sharp. 


F  3 


6Q  AKUM.  No.  li. 

No.    11. 

AHUM  TRIPHYLLUM. 

English  Name— THREE-LEAVED  ARUM. 

French  Name — Pied-de-Veautriphylle. 

German  Name — Dreyblattrige  Aron. 

Officinal  Name — Arisarum  trifolium,  Arum  ra- 
dix. 

Vulgar  Names — Indian  Turnip,  Dragon  Root, 
Dragon  Turnip,  Pepper  Turnip. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Elliot, 
Schoepf,  Dispensaries,  Bigelow  fig.  4,  Sequel,  &c. 


Genus  Arum — Spathe  univalve  cucullate,  convo- 
lute at  the  base.  Spadix  naked  above  :  no  perianthe. 
Stamina  and  pistils  naked  separated  at  the  base  of  the 
spadix  :  filaments  with  two  or  four  anthers  ;  berries 
conglomerate,  one  celled,  few  seeded. 

Species  A.  tripJiyllum — Leaves  radical,  ternate, 
folioles  sessile,  oval,  acuminate,  entire  and  smooth  : 
scape  with  one  spathe  ovate  acuminate,  inflexed  :  spa- 
dix club  shaped,  shorter  :  flowers  polygamous,  trioi- 
cious. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  round,  flatten- 
ed, tuberous,  with  many  white  fibres  around  the  base: 
skin  dark,  loose,  and  wrinkled. — Leaves  one  or  two 
on  long  sheathing  petiols,  three  folioles  very  smooth 
and  sharp,  pale  beneath,  oval  or  rhomboidal  or  ob- 
long, entire  or  undulated,  with  regular  parallel  nerves. 


Ko.  11. 

ARUM  TRIPHYLLUM. 


THRSE-IiEAVSD    ARUM. 


No.  11.  AAum.  67 

Scape  or  leafless  stem,  tunicated  at  the  base  by  vagi- 
nated  membranaceous  acute  sheaths,  supporting  one 
large  upright  spathe,  tubular  at  the  base,  hooded  at 
the  top,  either  green  or  purple,  or  variegated  with 
both  colours  in  stripes  within.  Spadix  cylindric,  ob- 
tuse at  the  top,  also  variable  in  colour,  bearing  the 
flowers  at  the  base  where  it  is  contracted.  Some  plants 
have  only  stamina,  others  pistils,  and  others  have 
both,  wherefore  it  is  polygamous  trioicious.  Anthers 
two  or  four  on  short  crowded  filaments.  Pistils  crowd- 
ed below,  round,  without  styles,  stigma  punctiform. 
Sometimes  abortive  pistils  and  stamina  intermixed. 
The  upper  part  of  the  spadix  withers  with  the  spathe, 
while  the  pistils  grow  into  a  large  compact  head  of 
shining  scarlet  berries. 

HISTORY — Arum  is  the  type  of  a  natural  family, 
the  Aroides,  among  Monocotyle  plants.  In  the  Lin- 
tiaean  system  it  has  been  put  in  Gynandria  or  in  Po- 
ly andria  ;  yet  many  species  are  polygamous.  Lin- 
naeus did  very  improperly,  and  against  his  own. bota- 
nical rules,  change  the  previous  name  of  Tournefort 
Arisaruni  into  Arum,  which  is  a  mere  termination 
of  many  other  genera,  Asarum,  Comarum,  &c. : 
triphyllum  means  three  leaved. 

The  A,  tryphillum  blossoms  with  us  from  May  to 
July,  and  in  the  summer  bears  its  bright  scarlet  ber- 
ries. The  vulgar  names  are  common  to  all  the  North 
American  species,  which  have  similar  roots.  Their 
leaves  are  sensible  to  a  harsh  grasp  like  Onoclea  se?i- 
sibilis,  and  the  A.  dracontium  coils  them  when  pluck- 
ed.    The  seeds  and  roots  may  be  rendered  edible  like 


6g  AAUM.  No.  11. 

A.  esculentum  (notwithstanding  their  caustic  pun- 
gency) by  long  coction  ;  they  were  eaten  by  the  In- 
dians roasted  and  otherwise. 

Locality — All  over  North  America  in  woods  :  it 
is  said  to  extend  to  South  America  as  far  as  Brazil ; 
but  probably  a  different  species  is  found  there.  All 
soils  and  regions  appear  to  suit  this  plant :  it  delights 
however  in  good,  rich,  and  shady  grounds. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  and  particularly  the 
root,  is  violently  acrid,  pungent,  and  even  caustic  to 
the  tongue,  but  not  to  the  skin.  It  burns  worse  than 
Capsicicm  or  Cayenne  pepper.  This  active  princi- 
ple is  a  peculiar  substance,  •droine,  highly  volatile, 
having  no  affinity  with  water,  alcohol,  oil  or  acids, 
and  becoming  an  inflammable  gas  by  heat  or  distilla- 
tion. The  roots  yield  one  fourth  of  their  weight  of  a 
pure  amylaceous  matter,  like  starch  or  arrow-root, 
or  a  fine  white  delicate  nutritive  fecula,  by  the  same 
process  as  Cassava  or  Jatropha  manihot^ 

PROPERTIES— Powerful  acrid,  stimulant,  inci- 
sive, restorative,  expectorant,  calefacient,  carmina- 
tive and  diaphoretic.  The  fresh  roots  are  too  caus- 
tic to  be  used  internally,  unless  much  diluted,  and 
when  dry  they  are  often  inert,  unless  they  have  been 
dried  very  quick,  or  kept  buried  in  sand  or  earth.  It 
must  be  used  in  substance  mixed  with  milk  or  mo- 
lasses, since  it  does  not  impart  its  pungency  to  any 
liquor  ;  or  the  fresh  roots  must  be  grated,  or  reduced 
to  a  pulp,  with  three  times  their  weight  of  sugar, 
thus  forming  a  conserve,  the  dose  of  which  is  a  tea 
spoonful  twice  a  day. 


No.  11.  ARtTM.  69 

In  these  forms  it  is  used  for  flatulence,  cramp  in  the 
stomach,  asthmatic  and  consumptive  affections.  It 
quickens  circulation,  and  promises  to  be  a  useful  to- 
pical stimulant  when  the  acrid  principle  may  be  ren- 
dered available.  It  has  been  found  beneficial  in  lin- 
gering atrophy,  debilitated  habits,  great  prostration 
in  typhoid  fevers,  deep  seated  rheumatic  pains,  or 
pains  in  the  breast,  chronic  catarrh,  &c. 

Substitutes — Capsicum — Salep — Erythronium — 
Squill — Arrow-root — Polygonum  hydropiper — Salvia 
urticifolia — Cyclamen  europeum — Arum  dracontium^ 
and  other  native  Arums — besides  Ranunculus  bulbo- 
suSf  and  some  other  acrid  pungent  substances. 

Remarks — A.  dracontium  has  a  large  pedate  leaf, 
with  five  to  fifteen  oblong  segments,  and  grows  in  the 
Southern  and  Western  States. 

A^  virgtnicum  has  sharp,  wide,  cordate  leaves,  and 
grows  in  Virginia,  &.c. 

A,  sagitefolium  has  sharp,  long,  sagittated  leaves, 
and  grows  from  New- York  to  Carolina.  All  these 
have  similar  roots,  seeds,  and  properties. 

Henry  has  assumed  the  name  and  figure  of  the  Eu- 
ropean A,  maculatum  for  this  plant. 


70  ASARUM.  No.  K. 

No.    12, 

ASARUM  CANADENSE. 

English  Name— BRO ADLE AF  ASARABACC A. 

French  Name — Asaret  du  Canada. 

German  Name — C anadkche  Haselwurz. 

Officinal   Names — Asari  Canadensis,   radix    and 
herba. 

Vulgar  Names — Wild  Ginger,  Indian  Ginger,  Ca«- 
nada  Snakeroot,  Heart  Snakeroot,  Coltsfoot,  &c. 

Authorities — Linnoeus,  Schoepf,  Michaux,  Pursh, 
Cornut,  Coxe,  Dispensaries,  B.  Barton,  W.  Barton, 
fig   32,  Bigelow  fig.  15  and  Sequel. 

Synonyms — A.  latifolium  of  Salisbury.  A»  carO' 
linianum  of  Walter. 


Genus  Asaruii — Perigone  urceolate  trifid.  Sta- 
mina twelve  epigynous,  anthers  adnate.  Germ  coa- 
lescent  with  the  base  of  the  perigone,  style  short, 
stigma  stellated  six  parted.  Capsul  six  locular,  many 
seeded. — Stemless,  leaves  radical  geminate,  flowers 
solitary  in  the  bifurcation. 

Species -4.  Canadense — Leaves  broad,  reniform,  en- 
tire, puberulent :  flower  woolly,  tripartite,  segments 
lanceolate  reflexed. 

DESCRIPTION— Roots  perennial,  creeping, 
fleshy,  cylindric,  jointed,  with  scattered  fibres,  brown 
outside,  white  inside. — Radical  leaves,  geminate,  pu- 
bescent, with  long  and  round  petioles,  reniform  or 


No.  1 2» 

ASARUM  C ANADENSE, 


BROADUBAF  ASARABACCA. 


a^.  12.  ASARUIML  yi 

kidney  shaped,  broad,  entire,  tip  often  mucronatebut 
obtuse,  surface  puberulent,  veined  like  a  net  work, 
and  often  spotted,  glaucous  beneath.  No  stems. 
Flower  solitary  between  the  two  leaves,  on  a  curved 
peduncle,  tomentose,  purple,  darker  inside.  Peri- 
gone  with  three  equal  segments,  acuminate  reflexed. 
Stamina  twelve  unequal,  filaments  mucronate,  an- 
thers adnate  laterally.  Three  filiform  nectaries  or 
abortive  stamina,  alternating  with  the  segments. 
Style  conical  grooved,  or  six  coalescent  styles,  crown- 
ed by  six  thick  revolute  stigmas.  Capsul  round,  hexa- 
gonal, crowned,  and  with  many  small  seeds. 

HISTORY — A  humble  stemless  plant,  with  flow- 
ers nearly  concealed  in  the  ground.  It  has  many  va- 
rieties, with  small  or  large  leaves,  rounded  or  mucro- 
nate, spotted  or  unspotted  ;  the  flowers  also  vary  in 
colour  from  greenish  purple  to  dark  purple  ;  they 
blossom  in  May  and  June. 

Asarum  is  an  ancient  name,  the  genus  gives  name 
to  a  natural  order  Asarides,  called  Aristolochides 
by  Jussieu,  and  Sarrnentacea  by  Linnseus.  In  the 
Linnean  system  it  is  placed  either  in  Dodecandria  or 
Gynandria.  It  has  been  called  Canadense,  because 
first  noticed  in  Canada,  the  name  latifolia  of  Salisbury 
would  be  preferable. 

The  names  of  Wild  Ginger,  Heart  Snakeroot,  &c. 
arc  common  to  all  the  other  species,  'i'he  roots  are 
often  collected  and  sold  for  Virginia  Snakeroot,  al- 
though yQ,VY  different  in  appearance,  but  simJlar  in 
taste,  smell  and  properties.  They  deserve  to  be  col- 
lected more  extensively,  as  an  article  of  tyade  and  ex- 


7^  ASARUM.  No.  12. 

portation  ;  being  an  excellent  substitute  for  ginger  in 
every  instance. 

Locality — From  Canada  to  Carolina  and  Missou- 
ri, in  shady  woods,  it  is  most  abundant  in  hills,  val- 
leys, and  rich  alluvions. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  but  particularly  the 
root,  has  an  agreeable  aromatic  bitterish  taste,  inter- 
mediate between  Ginger  and  Aristolochia  serpentana ; 
but  more  pleasant,  warm,  and  pungent.  The  smell 
is  spicy  and  strong.  The  active  substances  are  a  vo- 
latile oil,  possessing  the  taste  and  smell  of  the  plant, 
with  a  red  and  bitter  resin,  both  soluble  in  alcohol  j 
they  contain  besides  much  fecula  and  mucilage. 

PROPERTIES— Aromatic  stimulant  and  diapho- 
retic, cordial,  emenagogjue,  subtonic,  errhine,  &c. ; 
but  not  properly  emetic  like  the  A.  europeuin,  al- 
though often  mentioned  as  such.  It  is  a  grateful  sub- 
stitute of  the  Serpentaria  in  many  cases.  It  is  useful 
in  cachexia,  melancholy,  palpitations,  low  fevers, 
convalescence,  obstruclions,  hooping-cough,  &c.  The 
doses  must  be  small  and  often  repeated,  since  it  be- 
comes nauseous  in  large  doses.  The  best  preparation 
is  a  cordial  made  with  the  tincture  and  syrup  j  the 
tincture  is  coloured  dark  red  by  the  resin. 

The  dried  leaves  make  a  fine  stimulating  and  ce- 
phalic snuff,  when  reduced  to  powder,  which  may  be 
used  in  all  disorders  of  the  head  and  eyes. 

A  grateful  wine  or  beer  may  be  made  by  the  infu- 
sion of  the  whole  plant,  in  fermenting  wine  or  beer. 

Substitutes — Ginger — Aristolochia  serpfntaria — - 
Aralia  species — Helenium  oiitumnale — Spices — Lau- 


No.  12.  ASARtTlMC.  73 

rus  benzoin,  with  many  aromatic  stimulants,  and  all 
the  other  American  species  of  this  genus. 

Remarks — A,  Virginicum  may  be  known  by  its 
smooth  cordate  leaves  ;  it  is  found  from  Maryland  to 
Georgia  and  Tennessee,  particularly  in  mountains, 
and  is  still  more  grateful  than  A.  Canadense, 

*/?.  arifolium  has  smooth,  hastated,  spotted  leaves, 
and  a  tubular  flower  ;  it  is  found  in  Carolina  and  Ten- 
nessee. 

The  figure  of  Henry  represents  the  leaves  sharp, 
which  is  never  the  case,  and  he  calls  it  Swamp  Asa- 
rabocca,  although  never  growing  in  swamps. 


74  ASCIiEPZAS.  No.  IS. 


No.  13. 

ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA. 

English  Name— ORANGE  SWALLOW-WORT. 

French  Name — Houatte  Tubereuse. 

German  Name — Knollige  »schwalbenwurz. 

Officinal  Name — A.  tuberosa  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Pleurisy  root,  Butterfly  weedj 
Flux  root,  Wind  root,  White  root.  Silk  weed,  Canada 
:Toot,  &c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Schoepf,  Michaux,Pursli, 
B,  Barton,  Chapman,  Thacher,  Dispensaries,  Parker, 
Tully,  Bigelow,  Med.  Bot.  fig.  26  &  Seq.  W.  Bar- 
ton M.  Med.  fig.  22,  &c. 

Genus  Asclepias — Calix  quinquefid.  Corolla  five 
parted,  flat  or  reHexed,  bearing  five  auricles  with  ap- 
pendages and  a  large  central  truncate  stegyne,  sup- 
porting and  concealing  the  five  stamina,  covering  the 
two  pistils  :  which  are  succeeded  by  two  follicles. 

Species  A.  Tuberosa — Hairy,  leaves  scattered, 
variable,  nearly  sessile,  oblong  or  lanceolate,  entire  : 
umbels  with  subulate  bracts,  flowers  lax  and  orange 
color. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  large,  fleshy, 
white,  of  variable  form,  fusiform,  crooked  or  branch- 
ed— Many  stems  either  erect  or  ascending  oi  pro- 
cumbent, round,  hairy,  green  or  red — Leaves  scat- 
tered, sessile,   or  on  short  petiols,  very  hairy,  pale 


No.  13. 

ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA 


ORANOB  SWASXOW-WORT. 


So.  13.  ASCX.CPZAS.  70 

beneath,  entire  or  undulate,   oblong  or  lanceolate,  or 
nearly  linear,  obtuse  or  acute. 

Several  terminal  or  lateral  umbels,  divaricate,  with 
subulate  bracts  for  involucre.  Flowers  erect,  pedun- 
cled,  and  of  a  bright  orange  color.  Calix  small  re- 
flexed,  five  parted  Corolla  reflexed,  five  parted,  seg- 
ments oblong  ;  auricles  erect,  nearly  as  long,  cuculate, 
with  incurved  appendages  or  horns.  Stegyne  tough, 
pyramidal,  having  five  coalescent  stamina  around, 
each  with  two  cells  and  two  masses  of  pollen  suspend- 
ed by  a  threat.  Two  pistils  completely  concealed  by 
the  stegyne  ;  germs  ovate  with  short  styles,  stigmas 
jobtuse. — Follicles  two,  often  abortive,  lanceolate, 
acute,  erect,  downy,  dehiscent  laterally  ;  seeds  many, 
imbricate,  flat,  ovate,  connected  to  a  longitudinal  re- 
ceptacle by  long  silken  hairs. 

HISTORY — The  beautiful  genus  Asclepias  be- 
longs to  the  natural  order  of  Apocynes,  section  t^^s^ 
clepides.  In  the  Linnean  system,  it  has  been  put  in 
Pentandria  digynia  ;  but  the  singular  structure  of 
the  flower  is  such  as  to  puzzle  Botanists,  and  it  might 
as  well  be  considered  as  decandrous,  or  monadel- 
phous  !  the  flowers  appear  to  have  a  double  corolla,  the 
inner  one  has  five  lobes  called  nectaries  or  auricles. 
This  structure  renders,  however,  the  genus  very  na- 
tural  and  easily  recognizable.  It  is  dedicated  to  Es- 
culapius,  the  ancient  god  of  medicine,  under  his 
Grecian  name  of  x\sclepias. 

This  species  is  easily  known  at  first  sight  by  its 
bright  orange  flowers  blossoming  in  July  and  Au- 
gust, among  all  the  numerous  American  congeneric 


76  ASCLSPXAS.  N«.  13:. 


species  ;  which  are  upwards  of  thirty.  It  is  a  very 
ornamental  plant,  although  inodorous,  while  many 
others  are  sweet  scented.  The  roots  which  are  near- 
ly tuberous,  have  given  name  to  it,  although  the  •/?. 
acuminata  is  also  tuberous.  The  Jl.  decitmbens  of 
some  Botanists  is  only  one  of  its  varieties :  it  is  very 
variable  in  the  stems  and  leaves. 

All  the  Asclepias  are  milky ;  but  this  less  than 
others.  They  all  produce  a  fine  glossy  and  silky  down 
in  the  follicles  or  pods  ;  which  has  been  used  for  beds, 
hats,  cloth  and  paper.  This  down  makes  excellent 
beds  and  pillows,  being  elastic,  and  one  pound  and  an 
half  occupying  a  cubic  foot.  Light  and  soft  hats  are 
made  with  it :  the  staple  is  too  short  to  be  spun  and 
woven  alone  ;  but  it  may  be  mixed  with  flax,  cotton, 
wool  and  raw  silk.  It  makes  excellent  paper,  and  the 
stalks  of  the  plants  afford  it  likewise,  as  in  flax  and 
Jipocynum.  The  A,  syriaca  or  Silky  Swallow-wort 
producing  more  of  the  down,  has  been  cultivated  for 
the  purpose,  and  a  pound  of  down  produced  from 
forty  to  fifty  plants.  Its  young  shoots  are  edible 
like  poke,  and  the  flowers  produce  a  honey  by  com- 
pression. 

The  Ji.  syriaca,  Ji.  incarnata,  and  several  other 
species,  have  similar  medical  properties,  and  may  be 
substituted  to  this,  although  somewhat  less  active. 

Locality — Found  all  over  the  United  States,  but 
most  abundant  in  the  South  ;  it  prefers  open  situa- 
tions, poor  and  gravelly  soils,  along  gravelly  streams  ^ 
and  on  hills.     Rare  in  rich  and  loamy  soils. 

Qualities — The  root  is  brittle  when  dry,  and  easi- 


Ko.  13.  ASCtEKAS.  77 

ly  reduced  to  powder  ;  it  is  somewhat  bitter,  but  not 
unpleasant :  it  contains  a  bitter  extractive  and  fecula, 
both  soluble  in  boiling  water.  When  fresh  the  root, 
as  well  as  the  whole  plant,  is  rather  unpleasant,  sub- 
acrid  and  nauseous. 

PROPERTIES— Subtonic,  diaphoretic,  expecto- 
rant, diuretic,  laxative,  escarotic,  carminative,  antis- 
pasmodic, &c.  It  is  a  valuable  popular  remedy,  and 
a  mild  sudorific,  acting  safely  without  stimulating  the 
body.  It  is  supposed  to  act  specifically  on  the  lungs, 
to  promote  suppressed  expectoration,  and  to  relieve 
the  breathing  of  pleuritic  patients.  It  appears  to  ex- 
ert a  mild  tonic  effect,  as  well  as  stimulant  power  over 
the  excretories.  It  relieves  the  dyspnoea  and  pains 
in  the  chest.  It  often  acts  as  a  mild  cathartic,  suita- 
ble for  the  complaints  of  children  ;  it  is  also  useful  in 
cholic,  hysteria,  menorhagia,  dysentery,  &c. 

In  the  low  state  of  typhus  fever,  it  has  produced 
perspiration  when  other  sudorifics  had  failed.  In 
pneumonia  and  catarrh  it  is  always  beneficial.  It  re- 
stores the  tone  of  the  stomach  and  digestive  powers. 
It  has  been  given  in  asthma,  rheumatism,  syphilis, 
and  even  for  worms. 

Ail  these  valuable  properties,  many  of  which  are 
well  attested,  entitle  it  to  general  notice,  to  become 
an  article  of  commerce,  be  kept  in  shops,  &c. 

The  doses  are  from  twenty  to  thirty  grains  of  the 
powdered  root  three  times  a  day,  or  a  gill  of  the  de- 
coction and  infusion  every  few  hours  :  a  vinous  infu- 
sion and  a  decoction  in  milk  are  also  recommended 
in  some  cases. 

ct  2 


78  ASCLSPXAS.  No.  13. 

Substitutes — Snakeroots — Myrrh — Spikenard — 

Squ  il  I Asarabaca — Sassafras — Tol  u  — %fipocynu7ii 

andro  semi  folium Liquorice— Ginseng Many 

other  Swallow-worts,  &c. 

Remarks — It  may  be  useful  to  notice  some  other 
species  possessing  the  same  properties. 

%^.  syriaca  or  common  Silkweed,  grows  all  over 
the  United  States  near  streams  ;  it  has  large  oblong 
opposite  leaves,  white  beneath,  and  large  globular 
umbels  of  sweet  scented  flowers  of  a  lilac  color. 

«y5.  incarnata,  grows  also  near  streams  every 
where,  has  lanceolate  leaves,  opposite  and  acute ; 
flowers  flesh  colored  or  red,  scentless. 

j1.  acuminata,  also  near  streams  in  New-Jersey, 
&c,  with  opposite  ovate  acuminate  leaves,  flowers  red 
and  white. 

^.  quadrifolia,  from  New-York  to  Kentucky  in 
woods,  beautiful  little  plant  with  leaves  like  the  fore- 
going, but  four  in  a  whorl,  flowers  flesh  coloured  and 
very  fragrant. 

Henry  calls  our  plant  ./?.  decumbens,  but  his  fi- 
gure is  a  very  bad  one  of  *d.  incarnata. 


No,  14. 

BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA 


TEUOW  INDXCO-BROOM. 


No.  14.  BAPTZSXA.  79 

No   14. 

BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA. 

English  Name— INDIGO-BROOM. 

French   NAftiE — Indigo  trefle. 

German  Name — Farbende  Baptisia. 

Officinal  Names — Baptisia  tinctoria,  herba  & 
radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Wild  Indigo,  Indigo  weed, 
Horsefly  weed,  Yellow  broom,  Clover  broom,  Rat- 
tle-bush, Yellow  Indigo. 

Synonyms — Sophora  tinctoria^  Lin.  Podalyria  tinc- 
toria, Mich.  &c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Elliot, 
Weems,  Thacher  Dispensary,  Comstock,  Schoepf, 
Bart.  M.  Med.  fig.  29. 


Genus  Baptisia — Calix  bilabiate,  four  cleft.  Co- 
rolla papilionaceous,  petals  nearly  equal,  vexillum  la- 
terally reflexed.  Stamina  ten,  free  unequal.  Pistil 
stipitate,  ventricose,  many  seeded — Leaves  ternate. 

Species  B.  tinctoria — Very  smooth  and  branched, 
leaves  small  nearly  sessile,  folioles  cuneate,  obovate, 
obtuse  ;  racemes  terminal,  few  flowered  ;  pods  ovate 
on  long  pedicles. 

DESCRIPTION — Root  perennial,  large  and  woody, 
irregular,  blackish  outside,  yellowish  within,  fibres 
lighter.  Stems  two  or  three  feet  high,  round  and 
smooth,  yellowish  green  with  black  dots,  very  much 


80  BAPTISIA.  No.  u. 

ramified  ;  but  branches  thin  and  with  small  leaves. 
These  leaves  are  alternate,  and  with  three  folioles 
nearly  sessile,  obovate,  smooth,  of  a  bluish  green  ; 
stipules  minute,  evanescent,  oblong,  acute. — Flowers 
bright  yellow,  in  small  loose  spikes  at  the  end  of 
branches,  pea  like,  but  smaller. — Calix  campanulate 
bilabiate,  upper  lip  entire  or  notched,  lower  trifid. — 
Stamina  inclosed  deciduous. — Pistil  single  and  stipi- 
tate,  succeeded  by  a  swelled  oblong  pod  of  a  bluish 
black  color,  with  a  row  of  small  rattling  seeds, 

HISTORY — This  plant  has  the  appearance  of  a 
small  shrub  and  broom  :  it  blossoms  in  July  and  Au- 
gust. The  whole  plant  (even  the  flowers)  often  be- 
come black  in  the  fall  or  in  a  herbarium  ;  it  dyes  a 
kind  of  blue  like  Indigo  ;  but  greatly  inferior.  The 
young  shoots  are  eaten  like  those  of  Poke  in  New- 
England,  and  are  like  it  of  a  drastic  nature.  It  is 
often  used  to  keep  off  the  flies  from  horses,  as  these 
insects  appear  to  avoid  it. 

Several  other  sp€cies  grow  in  the  Southern  and 
Western  States,  which  have  probably  similar  quali- 
ties. The  B.  australis  with  large  blue  flowers,  very 
t)rnamental,  grows  on  the  banks  of  streams :  the  B* 
alba  has  white  flowers,  &c.  These  plants  were  an- 
nexed to  Sophoj'a  by  Linnaeus,  and  to  Podalyria  by 
other  botanists,  until  properly  separated  by  Vente- 
nat,  &c. 

Baptisia  belongs  to  the  great  natural  order  of  Le- 
ctUMiNosE  plants,  (bearing  pods,)  and  to  the  section 
Lomentaceous,  having  free  stamina :  also  to  Decan- 
DRiA  mo;^o^y?^^tf  of  Linnaeus. 


No.  14.  BAFTZSZA.  81 

Locality — Found  all  over  the  United  States  from 
Maine  to  Louisiana  and  Illinois,  in  woods,  and  on 
hills  ;  it  prefers  dry  and  poor  soils,  is  unknown  in 
lich  loamy  soils,  and  seldom  met  in  alluvions. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  but  particularly  the 
root,  is  nauseous,  subacrid,  subastringent,  but  inodo- 
rous. It  is  active  and  dangerous  in  its  fresh  state,  if 
taken  internally,  but  loses  much  of  its  action  by  long 
keeping,  and  by  boiling.  Its  active  principles  are  lit- 
tle known  ;  it  contains  tannin,  indigo,  and  an  acid. 

PROPERTIES— Astringent,  antiseptic,  febrifuge, 
diaphoretic,  purgative,  emetic  and  stimulant.  It  is 
a  valuable  remedy  for  all  kinds  of  ulcers,  even  the 
foulest,  either  gangrenose,  phagedenic,  or  syphilitic: 
also  for  almost  every  sore,  such  as  malignant  ulcerous 
sore  throat,  mercurial  sore  mouth,  sore  nipples,  aph- 
thous, chronic  sore  eyes,  painful  acrid  sores,  and  every 
ulcerous  affection.  It  must  be  used  externally  in 
strong  decoction  as  a  wash  or  in  fomentation,  also  in 
poultice,  or  ointment  with  lard  or  cream. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  powerful  vegetable  anti- 
septics in  putrid  disorder  and  in  internal  mortification, 
it  may  be  given  internally  at  the  dose  of  half  an  ounce 
of  a  decoction,  made  with  twenty  times  its  weight  of 
water.  It  stops  gangrene,  has  cured  Scarlatina  angi- 
nosa,  inverted  uterus,  and  sometimes  putrid  and  ty 
phus  fevers.  '  As  a  cathartic  and  emetic,  it  is  incon- 
venient and  variable  in  results. 

Substitutes — Kalmia  latifolia — Charcoal — To» 
nic  Barks — Kubus  villosus — Collinsonia  Canaden 
sis — Solarium  dulcamara  &  S.  virginicum,  4*c. 


SS  SEHBISRZS.  No.  15. 

No.  15. 

BERBERIS  CANADENSIS. 

English  Name— BARBERRY. 

French    Name — Epine  Vinette, 

German  Name — Berberitze. 

Officinal  Name — Berberis  baccae,  &c. 

Vulgar  Name — American  Barberry  bush. 

Synonyms — Berberis  Vulgaris  Var.  Canadensis 
of  Linnaeus,  Michaux,  &c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Schoepf, 
several  Dispensaries,  and  Mat.  Med. 


Genus  Berberis — Calix  free  with  six  sepals  or  fo- 
lioles,  and  three  small  bracts  outside.  Corolla  with 
six  petals,  biglandular  at  the  base.  Stamina  six,  op- 
posite to  the  petals.  One  free  pistil,  germ  oblong, 
stigma  sessile  and  umbilicate.  Berry  one  celled, 
two-four  seeded. 

Species  B.  Canadensis — Shrubby,  upright,  bran- 
ches dotted,  with  triple  thorns  ;  leaves  fasciculate  obo- 
vate,  remote  serrulate  :  racemes  nodding  or  drooping. 

DESCRIPTION — A  pretty  shrub  rising  from  four 
to  eight  feet  high,  with  long  bending  branches,  hav- 
ing many  confluent  dots  and  some  smaH  thorns,  often 
three  together.  The  leaves  are  crowded  and  unequal 
in  each  fascicle  ;  on  short  petiols ;  they  are  smooth 
and  glossy,  oboval,  obtuse,  with  small  remote  teeth. 
The  flowers  are  on  slender  and  lax  racemes,   either 


No.   15. 

BERBERIS   CANADENSIS 


No.  15.  BERBEKXS.  S3 

nodding  or  pendulous  ;  they  are  yellow,  on  long  pe- 
dicels, and  rather  small.  The  petals  are  oblong  ob- 
tuse, and  have  each  two  glands  and  a  stamen  at  the 
base.  The  berries  hang  in  loose  bunches,  they  are 
oblong  and  red,  smaller  and  less  juicy  than  in  the  com- 
mon garden  Barberry  of  Europe. 

HISTORY — Berberis  is  an  ancient  name,  it  is  the 
type  of  the  natural  order  of  Berberides.  In  the  Lin- 
nean  system  it  is  placed  in  Hexandria  monogynia. 
This  species  was  considered  a  variety  of  the  B.  vuU 
garis  of  Europe,  till  Pursh  separated  it,  and  it  hardly 
differs  from  it.  It  blossoms  in  April  and  May,  and 
ripens  the  berries  in  June  ;  but  they  are  sometimes 
abortive. 

The  stamina  of  the  flowers  are  irritable,  and  bend 
with  elasticity  towards  the  pistil.  It  is  supposed  that 
the  vicinity  of  this  shrub  is  injurious  to  wheat,  and 
this  has  been  noticed  os  one  of  the  instances  of  vege- 
table antipathy  or  incompatible  vicinity.  It  is  liable 
to  the  rust,  sterility,  and  many  other  diseases. 

Locality — From  Canada  to  Virginia,  in  moun- 
tains, hills,  among  rocks,  &c.  Common  in  New- 
England  in  rocky  fields :  rare  in  the  West  and  in 
rich  soils. 

Qualities — The  whole  shrub  (even  the  root)  is 
acid  ;  in  the  berries  this  acid  becomes  very  pleasant, 
and  is  probably  the  tartaric ;  but  mixed  with  some  as- 
tringency  5  the  bark  is  yellow  and  bitter. 

PROPERTIES — Antiseptic,  acid,  subastringent,^ 
refrigerant,  &c.  The  berries,  leaves,  bark  and  roots, 
»iay  be  used  in  putrid  fevers,  dysentery,  bilious  di- 


84  BERBERZS.  No.  15. 

arrhea,  summer  flux,  and  all  kinds  of  acute  inflamma- 
tions, A  syrup,  jelly,  conserve,  &c  are  made  with 
them,  which  prove  very  palatable,  cooling,  and  bene- 
ficial in  those  complaints,  as  auxiliary  remedies  It 
has  also  been  used  in  the  jaundice  and  other  diseases  ; 
but  with  less  success  and  certainty.  The  bark  has 
very  difierent  properties  :  it  is  tonic  and  purgative ;  it 
has  been  given  in  Leucorhcea,  aphthes,  jaundice,  &c. 
it  also  dyes  of  a  yellow  color. 

Substitutes — Red   Currants — Pomegranate — Le- 
mon Juice— Cream  of  Tartar — t^ndromeda  Arbor ea 

Callicarpa  %^mericana — Oxalis — Common 

terry — Tamarinds,  and  all  strong  vegetable  a' 
also  Elixir  of  Vitriol,  &c. 


jy- 


IVo.  16. 

BOTROPHIS   SERPENTARIA. 


BLACK  SXTAKE-ROOT. 


No.  16. 


BOTROPKXS. 


8.^ 


No.    16. 

BOTROPHIS    SERPENTARIA. 

English  Name—black  SNAKE  ROOT, 

French  Name — Serpentaire  noire. 

Ger3ian  Name — Schwarz  Schlangewurz. 

Officinal   Name — -Serpentaria  nigra. 

Vulgar  Names — Squaw  root,   Rich   weed,   Rattle 
weed,  Rattle-Snake-root,  Black  Cohosh  &c. 

Synonyms — Actea  raceniosa,  Lin.  &c.  Cimicifu' 
ga  Serpentaria,  Pursh,  &.c.  Macrotrys,  Sub-G.  Ra- 
finesque  and  Decandolle. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Schoepf,  Colden,  Mi- 
chaux,  Pursh,  B.  Barton,  Elliot,  Decandolle,  some 
Dispensaries,  Tully,  Big.  Sequel,  &c. 


G.  BOTROPHIS.     I  G  AcTEA. 

1,  Cal.  four  leaved  Calix  four  leaved 

2.  Corolla,    with'CoroUa,  with  four 
large  flat  petals. 


Stamina  many. 
Pistil  one. 
Berry    not  open- 


many    minute 
flat  petals. 

3.  Stamina  many. 

4.  Pistil  one. 

5.  Capsul  dehis- 
cent   longitudi 
nally. 

6.  Seeds  many  la 
teral. 

Species  B.   Serpentaria — Leaves  ample,   decom- 
posed or  tripinnate,  folioles  ovate  acute,  serrate  oi' 


mg. 


Seeds  lateral. 


G.    CiMICIFREGA. 

Calix  four  leaved. 
Corolla  with  four 
urceolate  petals* 

Stamina  many. 
Pistils  several. 
Several  dehiscent 
capsuls. 

Seeds  scaly. 


86  BOTROPKXS.  No.  16. 

'■  ■     ' .     ,     .    .         ^    ..    .  — 

jaggetl ;  raceme  terminal,  very  long,  more  or  less 
bent:  flowers  scattered,  peduncled,  bracteolate. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  blackish,  thick, 
with  long  fibres. — Stem  simple  straight,  from  three 
to  six  feet  high,  smooth,  angular,  furrowed,  often, 
crooked — leaves  few  and  alternate,  one  nearly  radical, 
remote,  ample,  decomposed,  tripinnate,  upper  one 
bipinnate;  folioles  sessile,  opposite,  three  to  seven  on 
each  last  division  of  the  petiole,  oval  or  lanceolate, 
acuminate,  smooth,  pale  beneath,  with  yellowish  re- 
ticulated veins,  margin  unequally  jagged,  or  sharply 
serrate,  particularly  outsider  the  last  foliole  is  trifid. 

Flowers  in  a  long  terminal  raceme,  from  one 
"to  three  feet  long,  often  with  one  or  two  shorter  ones 
near  its  base.  This  raceme  is  cylindrical,  white,  al- 
ways bent  or  crooked  at  first ;  the  flowers  are  scatter- 
ed, lax,  often  geminate  or  fasciculate,  on  short  pedun- 
cles, with  a  subulate  bract.  The  calix  is  white,  like  a 
corolla,  with  four  thick  rounded  and  obtuse  sepals  ; 
ihe  petals  are  very  small,  shorter  than  the  calix 
and  stamina :  these  last  form  a  pencil,  the  filaments 
are  white,  club  shaped  ;  the  anthers  yellow,  oblong, 
terminal.  Pistil  oval,  without  style,  stigma  sessile, 
Tateral  and  flattened.  Capsul  blackish  and  dry,  with 
one  cell  and  a  longitudinal  receptacle,  opposite  to  the 
opening,  to  which  many  flat  seeds  are  attached. 

This  plant  has  many  varieties,  one  is  dwarf,  a  foot 
high,  with  a  triangular  stem,  leaves  small,  biternate, 
and  wiiii  several  racemes  :  growing  in  the  moun- 
tains of  New  York.  If  it  is  a  peculiar  speeiesj  it  might 
be  called  7?.  pumila. 


No.  IS.  BOTROPBXS.  87 

HISTORY — Notwithstanding  my  reluctance  to  in- 
novate in  this  work,  I  am  compelled  to  separate  this 
plant  from  the  Genera  Actea  and  Cimicifnga,  to 
which  it  has  been  by  turns  united.  I  did  so  ever 
since  180S,  calling  it  Macrotrys^  which  meant  long 
raceme^  which  name  Decandolle  has  adopted  as  a 
subgenus  oi Actea\  but  this  name  being  delusive,  too 
harsh,  and  an  abbreviation  of  MucroboirySy  I  have 
framed  a  better  one,  meaning  Snake  raceme  :  the  ra* 
ceme  or  long  spike  of  flowers  being  mostly  crooked, 
and  like  a  snake.  To  convince  any  one  of  the  neces^ 
sity  of  this  change  and  impossibility  of  leaving  this 
plant  with  Actea  or  Cimicifuga,  I  have  given  the 
characters  of  the  three  genera  in  opposition  to  each 
other,  whereby  the  striking  difference  in  the  corolla, 
pistils  and  fruit,  will  be  perceived  at  once. 

Actea  and  Botropkis  belong  to  a  peculiar  natural 
family,  the  Acteides,  having  single  pistils  and  fruits: 
while  Cimicifuga  belongs  to  Ranunculides  with 
several  pistils.  Botrophis  must  be  put  with  Actea  in 
PoLYANDRiA  monogynia,  while  Cimicifuga  belongs 
to  PoLYANDRiA  pcntagynia  or  polygynia. 

The  Actea  joponica  is  probably  a  Botrophis.  The 
American  species  has  an  extensive  range,  and  was 
used  by  all  the  Indians.  It  blossoms  in  June  and 
July.  The  whole  plant,  and  even  the  flowers  are 
medical. 

Locality — All  over  the  United  States,  from 
Maine  to  Florida,  Louisiana  and  Missouri,  also  in 
Canada  and  Texas  ;  very  common  in  open  woods,  rich 
grounds  and  sides  of  hills  5  less  common  in -rocky 


88  BOTROPHIS.  No.  15. 

■ »    ■  ■  ■  ■  •»■  ■  ■     ^ — 

mountains  and  sunny  glades,  very  rare  in  moist  and 
wampy  soils. 

Qualities — The  root  and  plant  have  rather  an  un- 
pleasant smell,  and  a  disagreeable  nauseous  taste. 
Schoepf  considers  it  as  nearly  poisonous,  and  to  be 
used  with  caution,  yet  powerful  and  heroic.  It  has 
not  been  analyzed,  but  appears  to  contain  extractive 
and  a  fetid  oil. 

PROPERTIES— Astringent,  diuretic,  sudorific, 
anodyne,  repellent,  emenagogue,  subtonic,  &c.  It  is 
an  article  of  the  materia  medica  of  the  Indians,  much 
used  by  them  in  rheumatism,  and  also  in  facilitating 
parturition,  whence  its  name  of  Squaw-root.  It  has 
been  found  useful  in  sore-throat,  as  a  gargle  :  also  in 
dropsy,  hysterics  and  psora,  in  decoction  alone,  or 
united  with  Sahgiiinaria  Canadensis,  It  is  a  bene- 
ficial auxiliary  in  the  treatment  of  acute  and  chronic 
rheumatism.  It  is  used  by  the  Indian  doctors  for 
agues  and  fevers,  which  it  cures  like  Eupatorhim 
perfuliaiiim,  by  a  profuse  perspiration.  Yellow  fe- 
ver is  said  to  have  been  cured  by  it,  after  an  emetic 
had  been  taken. 

This  is  one  of  the  numerous  In(Jian  cures  for  the 
bites  of  snakes  :.  they  use  the  root  chewed  and  ap- 
plied to  the  wound  ;  but  they  consider  the  Eryn- 
gium  aquaiicum  ^  E.  yuccefolium  (corn  Snake- 
root,  or  Rattle-snake  flag)  as  by  far  more  powerful 
and  efficient.  A  decoction  of  the  root  cures  the  itch! 
It  is  useful  for  the  diseases  of  horses  and  cattle,  is  said 
to  purge  them,  expel  their  worms  and  cure  the  mur- 
rain, given  as  a  drench. 


No.  16.  BOTROPBXS.  89 


Substitutes — »M-ctea  alba  <^'  ^^.  rubra — Eryngi- 
um  aquaticum    4'   -^.  yuccefolium — Eupatorium 

pei'foliatum — Snakeroots — Spikenards  or  Aralias 

Cohosh  or  Caxdophyllum — Juniper  and  other  similai 
sudorifics  and  diuretics. 

Remarks — Not  figured  in  Bigelovv  nor  Barton's 
works.  Henry's  figure  of  the  Squawroot,  which  he 
wrongly  calls  Asclepias  purpurascens,  is  a  bad  re- 
presentation of  this  plant;  but  his  description  and  text 
apply  to  some  other  plant. 

The  Actea  alba  or  Whiteberry  Snakeroot,  which 
has  the  same  properties,  will  be  known  by  a  shorter 
stem,  smaller  leaves,  short,  oblong  raceme,  with 
round  white  berries  like  wax.  It  grows  from  New 
York  to  Tennessee,  in  rich  woods. 

The  A.  rubra  or  Redberry  Snakeroot,  hardly  dif- 
fers from  A^  alba,  but  has  red  berries  and  is  less 
common. 

These  two  plants  aj-e  also  called  Baneberries,  and 
their  berries  are  poisonous.  They  aie  called  White 
and  Red  Cohosh  by  the  Indians  :  the  blue  Cohosh  is 
the  Caulophyllum,  and  the  black  Cohosh  the  Botro- 
phis. 


H  2 


L 


90  BZlASBiirZA.  No.  17. 

No.   17. 

BRASENIA  HYDROFELTIS. 

English  Name— WATER-SHIELD. 

French  Name — Hydropelte. 

German  Name — Wasserschild. 

Officinal  Name — Gelatina  aquatica,  Biasenia. 

Vulgar  Names — Frogleaf,  Little  Water  Lily, 
Water  Jelly,  Deerfood. 

Synonyms — Hy dr op elt'is purpurea y  Michaux,  &.c. 

Authorities — Schreber,  Wildenow,  Persoon,  JNIi- 
chaux,  Pur^,  Elliot,  Nuttal,  &c. 


Genus  Brasenia — Perigoiie  simple,  colored,  co- 
roliform,  with  six  equal  sepals  or  petals,  stamina 
ttiany,  shorter,  hypogynous,  anthers  adnate  :  many 
pistils,  germs  sessile  with  a  style.  Fruit,  many 
small  one-seeded  achenes. 

Species  B.  Hydropeltis — Roots  creeping,  leaves 
floating,  alternate,  peltate,  elliptic,  entire,  gelatinous 
beneath  :  flowers  axillary,  solitary,  peduncled. 

DESCRIPTION— The  roots  are  perennial,  creep- 
ing under  water  and  mud,  cylindric,  jointed  with 
bundles  of  fibres  at  the  joints — Stems  many,  growing 
till  the  leaves  reach  the  surface  of  the  water,  almost 
similar  to  the  roots — Leaves  alternate,  on  very  long 
blender  petioles,  floating  on  the  water,  of  a  regular  el- 
liptic form,  like  an  oblong  shield,  entire  and  obtuse, 
s-nooth  and  lucid  above,  with  regular  radiating  veins, 


No.  IT. 

BRASENIA   HYDROPELTIS. 


/ 


WtiXEB.  SHIEXJ>. 


No.  ir.  BJIASENIA.  91 


whit6  and  veinless  beneath,  but  covered  with  a  coat  of 
pale  jelly,  sometimes  purplish  :  the  leaves  are  two  or 
three  inches  long. 

Flowers  on  long  axillary  and  solitary  peduncles, 
similar  to  the  petioles:  these  flowers  are  ofa  dark  pur- 
ple color,,  the  six  petals  are  oblong  and  acute  :  Stami- 
na from  twenty  to  thirty,  shorter  than  the  petals,  sur- 
rounding the  pistils  which  are  from  twelve  to  twenty, 
germs  oblong,  styles  short,  stigma  obtuse.  Achenes 
or  small  nuts  naked,  maturing  under  water,  oval  ob- 
long. 

HISTORY — This  plant  was  unknown  to  Linnaeus; 
it  was  first  described  by  Schreber,  and  called  Bras- 
enia,  from  a  German  botanist,  Brasen  ;  IVIichaux 
changed  improperly  that  name  into  Hydropeliis, 
meaning  water-shield  in  Greek  ;  both  names  may  be 
retained,  but  Brasenia  has  a  prior  claim  to  be  the 
generic.      Only  one  species  is  known. 

It  belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Ranttnculides, 
and  to  Voi.Yi\^D'&ix polygyuia  of  Linnaeus.  It  blos- 
soms in  July  and  August.  The  flowers  are  pretty,  but 
have  no  smell :  the  leaves  are  very  singular,  and  af- 
ford one  of  the  few  instances  of  pure  homogenous  ve- 
getable jelly,  being  spontaneously  produced,  and  co- 
vering the  whole  under  surface  of  the  leaves,  the 
stems  and  petioles  are  also  more  or  less  covered  with 
it.  Deer  and  cattle  are  very  fond  of  eating  these 
leaves  :  they  resort  to  the  places  where  they  grow 
plentifully,  and  even  swim  in  the  water  in  seai'ch  of 
them. 

Locality — From  Carolina  to  Kentucky,  and  Flo- 


9B  BRASSKXA.  No.  17. 

rida,  rare  in  Virginia,  Missouri  and  Kentucky,  found 
only  in  some  local  places,  but  there  extremely  abun- 
dant, and  spreading  so  as  to  cover  the  whole  surface 
of  ponds,  lakes,  marshes  and  sluggish  streams. 

Qualities — =The  plant  has  no  smell,  but  the  taste 
is  subastringent  and  bitterish  ;  the  jelly  is  a  pure  muci- 
lage similar  to  that  of  Lichen  and  Sesamum,  and 
spontaneously  evolved  ;  becoming  gummose  in  dry- 
ing. 

PROPERTIES— Mucilaginous,  astringent,  demul- 
cent, tonic,  nutritive,  &c.  Intermediate  between 
Lichen  Islandicus  and  the  Water  Lilies.  The  fresh 
leaves  may  be  used  like  Lichen,  in  pulmonary  com- 
plaints and  dysentery  :  when  dry  the  gelatinous  mat- 
ter almost  disappears,  yet  they  impart  mucilage  to 
water.  If  novirose  quality  exists  in  this  plant,  as  the 
taste  of  deer  for  it  appears  to  indicate,  it  may  become 
a  useful  substitute  or  auxiliary  to  Lichen  in  phthisis, 
inflammations,  debility,  &c.  boiled  into  decoction  or 
jelly. 

Substitutes — Lungwort  or  Pulmonaisa — Lichens 
— Arrow-root — Salep — Nymphea  &  NelumhiuTn — 
Polypodium — jidianthum — Titssilago — Elecampane 
— Liquorice — Marshmallow — Sesamum — Flaxseed. 

Remarks — Unnoticed  as  yet  by  all  medical  wri- 
ters, but  well  known  to  the  Indians. 


No.  18. 

CASSIA  MARILANDICA, 


AMfiRZCJEkN  SENNA. 


No.  18.  CASSIA.  93 

No.  18. 

CASSIA  MARILANDICA. 

English  Name— AMERICAN  SENNA. 

French  Name — Senne'  d'amerique. 

German  Name — Marilandische  Cassia. 

Officinal   Names — Senna  Americana,  folia,  &c. 

Vulgar  Names — Wild  Senna,  Locust  plant. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Schoepf, 
€oxc,  Thacher,  Chapman,  B.  Barton^  W.  Bart.  fig. 
12,  Big.  fig,  39,  &  Seq.  &c. 


Genus  Cassia — Calix  five  parted,  colored,  deci- 
duous and  unequal.  Corolla  with  five  unequal  pe- 
tals. Stamina  ten,  unequal  and  free,  the  three  up- 
per sterile,  the  three  lower  longer,  anthers  linear 
curved.  Pistil  stipitate.  Pod  bivalve,  curved,  many 
celled  transversally — Leaves  even  pinnate. 

Species  C.  Marilandica — Herbaceous,  leaves 
with  eight  or  ten  pairs  of  oblong  mucronate  folioies, 
petiole  uniglandular  :  racemes  axillar  and  terminal, 
panicled  :  pods  linear,  flat  and  pendulous. 

DESCRIPTION — Root  perennial,  contorted,  irre- 
gular, woody,  black,  fibrose — Stems  many,  nearly 
smooth,  upright,  from  three  to  six  feet  high,  cylindri- 
cal and  simple — Leaves  alternate,  not  many,  large, 
horizontal  ;  petioles  compressed,  channelled  above, 
with  an  ovate  stipitate  gland  at  the  base,  bearing  from 
eight   to  ten  pairs  of  folioies  or  leaflets,  which  are 


Qii  CASSIA.  No.  18. 

smooth,  green  above,  pale  beneath,  with  short  unL 
glandular  petioles,  shape  ovate,  oblong  or  lanceolate 
entire,  equal,  mucronate  at  the  end — stipules  subu- 
late, ciliate,  deciduous. 

Flowers  of  a  bright  or  golden  yellow,  forming  a 
panicle,  although  partly  axillary  and  in  short  racemes, 
having  each  from  five  to  fifteen  flowers  ;  peduncles 
furrowed,  pedicels  long,  glandular,  with  short  bracts. 
Calix  colored,  with  five  oval  obtuse  and  unequal  seg- 
ments. Petals  five,  spatulate,  concave,  obtuse,  une- 
qual, two  lower  larger.  Stamina  with  yellow  fila- 
ments and  brown  anthers,  the  three  upper  filaments 
have  abortive  anthers,  the  three  lower  filaments  are 
longest,  crooked,  with  long  rostrated  anthers,  all  the 
anthers  open  by  a  terminal  pore.  Germ  jdeflexed  with 
the  lower  stamina  and  hairy,  style  ascending,  stigma 
hairy.  The  fruits  or  pods  are  pendulous,  linear,  hard- 
ly curved,  flat  and  membranaceous,  a  little  hairy, 
blackish,  from  two  to  four  inches  long,  holding  from 
tvvelve  to  twenty  seeds,  or  small  brown  beans.  • 

HISTORY — The  genus  Cassia,  although  very 
striking  by  the  structure  of  its  flowers,  varies  much 
in  its  pods,  and  must  be  divided  into  many  genera  ; 
Tournefort  and  Gaertnesr  had  separated  the  Cassia 
fistula  &c.  with  cylindrical,  pulpy,  evalve  pods,  cal- 
ling the  others  Senna  ;  but  Persoon,  &c.  called  the 
Cassia  fistula  by  the  new  name  of  Cathartocarpus, 
leaving  the  name  of  Cassia  to  the  Sennas.  This  was 
superfluous,  and  if  I  was  not  unwillingto  increase  this 
confusion,  I  would  call  this  species  Senna  riparia, 
the  name  of  Marilandica  being  also  improper ;  it  was 


No.  IB.  OASSXA.  %3 

given  to  it  because  sent  first  from  Maryland  to  Eu- 
rope. 

Cassia  is  an  oriental  name,  derived  from  Kets'ich, 
name  of  the  Cassia  lignea  and  fistula.  The  genus 
belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Leguminose,  section 
Lonientaceous.  In  the  Linnean  system  it  is  placed  in 
Decandria  monogynia,  although  it  has  only  seven 
fertile  stamina. 

This  plant  blossoms  from  June  to  August ;  the  best 
time  to  collect  it,  is  in  September,  when  the  pods  are 
ripe  ;  since  they  are  with  the  leaves,  the  efficient 
parts  of  the  plant.  It  has  been  ascertained  th^t  this 
plant  is  more  efficacious  than  the  Senna  of  Egypt ;  it 
ought  therefore,  to  superse  le  it  altogether  with  us, 
and  even  to  be  exported  to  Europe  :  but  the  East  In- 
dia senna  is  said  by  Bigelow  to  be  a  little  stronger. — 
The  Senna  of  the  shops  is  obtained  from  different 
plants,  Cassia  lanceolala^  C.  Serma,  C,  iialica,  &c, 
and  even  from  Cynanchiim  olefolium. 

Locality — Found  from  Massachusetts  to  Mis- 
souri and  Georgia,  in  rich  moist  and  alluvial  soils, 
near  streams  principally.  Very  common  in  the  west- 
ern States. 

Qualities — The  taste  of  the  leaves  is  slightly  nau- 
seous :  they  have  no  smell  ■.  they  contain  resin  ex, 
tractive  and  a  volatile  oil.  The  infusion  and  decoction 
have  the  taste  of  the  plant ;  the  distilled  water  is  nau- 
seous ;  the  tincture  is  dark  brown  and  rendered  tur- 
bid by  water. 

PROPERTIES— All  the  Sennas  are  simple  ca- 
thartics, some  kinds  occasion  gripings  and  yet  are  not 


96  CASSIA.  No.  18. 

so  active  as  rhubarb  or  jalap.  /This  kind  operates  with 
mildness  and  certainty,  at  the  dose  of  an  ounce  in  de- 
coction :  both  the  leaves  and  pods  are  employed  ;  the 
infusion  is  weaker,  the  tincture  is  less  available,  al- 
though stronger.  They  may  enter  into  compound 
laxatives  and  cathartics,  &c. 

Substitutes — Senna — Cassia  fistula — Rhubarb — 
Jiiglans  Cinerea — Podophylluin  peUatum — Castor 
oil,  and  all  mild  purgatives,  besides  the  following  spe- 
cies of  Cassia  ;  which  are,  however,  still  left  active. 

Remarks — Clayton  and  Schoepf,  mentions  the  C. 
ligustrina  as  equal  to  Senna  :  it  grows  from  Virginia 
to  Georgia,  has  seven  pairs  of  lanceolate,  unequal  fo- 
lioles,  and  oblong  curved  pods. 

C.  chamecrista,  small  plant  found  everj^  where  in 
dry  soils;  it  has  many  pairs  of  linear  folioles,  and 
large  geminate  flowers  with  two  purple  spots. 

C.  nictitans,  or  sensitive  Senna,  similar  to  the  fore- 
going, but  with  very  small  flowers  :  common. 

C.  t oroides,  N.  Sp.  or  sickle  Senna,  is  perhaps  the 
C  tora  of  ^ome  botanists  ;  found  from  Georgia  to 
Kentucky,  it  has  three  pairs  of  ovate  folioles  and  long 
fulcated  axillary  pods. 

All  the  American  Sennas  have  yellow  flowers. — 
Schoepf,  says  that  the  C  hijiora  is  antisyphilitic. 

Henry's  figure  of  the  American  Senna  is  fictitious, 
having  four  pairs  of  folioles  and  regular  terminal 
flowers. 


No.  19. 

CAULOPHYLLUM  THALICTROIDES. 


■'^D^  W^^-' 


BXiUEBEIUElT  COBOSB, 


No.  19.  CAUZ.0PHYLX.U2ME.  97 

No.  19. 

CAULOPHYLLUM    THALICTROIDES. 

English  Name— BLrEBERRY  COHOSH. 

French    Name — Cohoche  Bleu. 

German  Name — Blau  Cohosch. 

Officinal  Name — Caulophyllum  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Cohosh,  Cohush,  Blueberry, 
Pnpoose  root,  Squaw  root,  Blue  Ginseng,  Yellow 
Ginseng. 

Synonyms — Leontice  thaUctroides  Linnaeus,  &c. 

Authorities- — Mi-^haux,  Pursh,  Elliot  and  some 
dispensaries.     Not  in  Barton  nor  Bigelow. 


Genus  Caulophyllum — Calix  colored  with  six 
equal  sepals.  Corolla  with  6  small  petals,  opposite  to  the 
sepals  of  the  calix  and  much  shorter.  Stamina  six  op- 
posite to  the  petals,  anthers  opening  laterally.  One 
central  free  pistil,  one  Style  and  Stigma,  Fruit  a  glo- 
bular one  seeded  drupe. — Leaves  three  on  a  trifurcate 
stem. 

Species  C.  thalictroides — Very  smooth,  three 
leaves  with  three  dissected  or  lobed  folioles,  the  ter- 
minal cordate:  in  the  centre  a  dichotome  corymb, 
shorter  than  the  leaves. 

DESCRIPTION— Whole  plant  from  tv/o  to  four 
feet  high. — Root  perennial,  yellow  inside,  brown 
outside,  hard,  irregular,  knobby,  branched,  with  many 

■J 


JJ8  CAULOPHYLLUM.  No.  19, 

fibres — Stem  upright,  straight,  smooth,  trifurcate  at 
the  top  or  dividing  into  three  leaves,  in  the  centre  of 
wrhich  comes  out  the  panicle  of  flowers — Leaves  pe- 
tiolate  smooth,  pinnate  lobed,  with  three,  very  sel- 
dom five  folioles,  the  lateral  ones  nearly  sessile,  oval 
or  oblong,  inequally  bifid  and  acute:  the  terminal  fo- 
liole  separated,  larger,  subcordate,  with  five,  seldom 
three,  unequal  lobes  or  segments,  oval  and  acute. 

Flowers  in  a  short  central  loose  corymb,  yellowish 
green,  rather  small  ;  rachis  slender,  dichotome,  with 
minute  bracts  at  each  division.  Each  flower  pedun- 
cled,  with  six  equal  elliptic  obtuse  sepals — Petals  six 
very  small,  opposite  and  notched,  with  each  an  op- 
posite longer  stamen,  filaments  short,  anthers  elliptic 
bilocular,  opening  on  each  side — Germ  globular, 
style  short,  stigma  obtuse — Drupes  resembling  ber- 
ries succeed  the  blossoms;  they  are  smooth  of  a  dark 
blue,  globular,  rather  large,  with  only  one  hard  seed. 

HISTORY — This  genus  which  includes  only  one 
species,  was  united  to  Leontice  by  Linnaeus;  but  se- 
parated by  Michaux;  they  both  belong  to  the  natural 
family  of  Berberides,  and  to  Hexandria  monogy- 
nia,  Cauiophyllum  implies  that  the  stem  and  leaves 
are  connected  as  it  were,  and  the  specific  name  alludes 
to  the  leaves  being  similar  to  many  Thalictrums — Co- 
hosh was  the  indigenous  name  of  this  plant,  and  a 
better  one  than  Blueberry,  the  usual  one  in  many 
parts:  it  blossoms  in  May  and  June,  while  the  leaves 
are  yet  tender  and  small,  the  berries  are  ripe  in  sum- 
mer;  they  are  dry,  sweetish,  insipid,  similar  to 
hwckle  berries,  but  larger. 


1^0. 19.  OAUS.OPHYLI.U1VL  99 

This  is  a  medical  plant  of  the  Indians,  and  although 
not  yet  introduced  into  our  officinal  books,  deserves 
to  be  better  known.  I  have  found  it  often  used  in 
the  country  and  by  Indian  Doctors  ;  Smith  and  Hen- 
ry extol  it. 

Locality — All  over  the  United  States,  from  Ca- 
nada and  New  England  to  Missouri  and  Georgia  ; 
but  chiefly  on  mountains  and  shady  hills,  rare  in 
plains  and  glades,  yet  often  found  in  deep  fertile  soils, 
iswampy  and  moist  grounds  ;  in  river  islands,  &c. 

Qualities — The  root  is  the,  only  part  used  :  in 
smell  and  taste,  it  partakes  of  Ginseng  and  Seneca 
root,  and  is  sometimes  mistaken  for  both.  It  Is  sweet- 
ish, a  little  pungent  and  aromatic:  the  infusion  and 
tincture  are  yellow — it  contains  a  gum,  resin  and  oil. 

Properties — Demulcent,  antispasmodic,  cmena- 
gogue,  sudorific,  &:c.  It  is  used  by  the  Indians  and 
their  imitators  for  rheumatism,  dropsy,  cholic,  sore 
throat,  cramp,  hiccup,  epilepsy,  hysterics,  inflamma^ 
tion  of  uterus,  &c.  It  appears  to  be  particularly  suit- 
able for  female  diseases,  and  Smith  asserts  that  the 
Indian  women  owe  the  facility  of  their  parturition,  to 
a  constant  use  of  a  tea  of  the  root  for  two  or  three 
weeks  before  their  time.  As  a  powerful  emenagogue 
it  promotes  delivery,  menstruation,  and  dropsical 
discharges.  It  may  be  used  in  warm  infusion,  de- 
coction, tincture,  syrup  or  cordial. 

Substitutes — Saiiguinaria  canadensis — Penny- 
royal— Poly  gala  Senega— -SndkQ  roots — Red  Cedar 
— Spikenard — Camphor — Ginseng,  &c. 

Remarks — The  figure  of  Henry  has  trifoliate 
leaves  and  the  berries  on  the  leaves ! 


100  CEPHAI.ANTIIUS.  No.  20. 


No.  20, 

CEPHALANTIIUS  OCCIDENTALIS. 

r:NGLisH  Name—button-wood  shrub. 

French   Name — Cephalanthe  d'amerique. 

German  Name — Americanische  Weissball. 

Officinal  Names — Cephalanthus  Cortex,  &c. 

Vulgar  Names — White  Ball,  Little  Snowball, 
Svvampvvood,  Pond  Dogwood,  Globe  flower,  in  Lou- 
isiana Bois  de  Mar  ah. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Piirsh,  Elliot,  Robin, 
W.  Bart.  Fl.  fig.  9L 


Genus  Cephalanthus — Flowers  crowded  on  a 
globular  and  hairy  phoranthe.  Calix  symphogyne 
quadrangular,  margin  small  fourtoothed.  Corolla 
tubular-funnelform,  four  cleft,  epigyne,  bearing  four 
stamina  equal  and  protruding.  Pistil  one  cohe- 
rent with  the  caliX;  st3^1e  long,  stigma  globose.  Cap- 
sule two  celled,  tw^o  seeded,  nearly  bipartible,  and 
each  cell  nearly  bivalve,  valves  uniserial. 

Species  C.  occidentalis — Leaves  ternate  or  oppo- 
site, petiolate,  oval-accuminate,  entire  and  smooth : 
heads  of  flowers  terminal,  peduncled,  upright. 

DESCRIPTION—A  fine  ornamental  shrub  from 
five  to  fifteen  feet  high,  very  branched  \  bark  yellow 
brown  spotted  with  red,  rough  on  the  stems.  Leaves 
ternate  or  opposite,  with  red  petiols  from  two  to  four 


No    20. 

CEPHALANTHUS   OCCIDENT ALIS 


BUTTOXVWOOD  SHRUB. 


No.  2a.  OEPHAtANrHUS-  101 


inches  long,  oval,  base  acute,  end  acuminate,  maro-in 
often  undulate,  smooth  on  both  sides,  but  glaucous 
beneath,  nerves  often  red,  veins  yellow. 

Flowers  terminal  peduncled,  forming  round  balls 
of  a  cream  white  color,  and  sweet  scented,  fringed 
all  over  by  the  protruding  Stamina  and  styles,  nearly 
as  large  as  a  walnut  Phoranthe  or  common  recepta- 
cle globular  and  hairy,  flowers  crowded  all  over  it. 
Calix  coherent  with  the  pistil,  with  four  small 
acute  teeth — Corolla  inserted  on  the  Pistil,  tubular  or 
nearly  funnel  form,  with  four  ovate  segments.  Sta- 
mina and  style  filiform,  double  the  length  of  the  Co- 
rolla, anthers  and  stigma  yellow — Capsuls  small, 
crowded,  formed  by  two  semibivalve  cells,  the  valves 
opposite  to  each  other,  the  two  outside  valves  angular, 
each  cell  has  only  one  seed. 

Locality — All  over  the  United  States  from  Cana- 
da to  Louisiana,  Missouri  and  Florida ;  mostly  found 
near  streams,  ponds,  swamps,  lakes,  &:c. 

HISTORY — Cephalanthus  means  head-flower  in 
Greek,  alluding  to  the  globular  form  of  the  blossoms. 
Linneus  only  knew  this  species,  and  gave  to  it  the 
name  of  occidental.  It  is  peculiar  to  North  America  ; 
the  same  kind  said  to  be  found  in  Cochinchina  is  a 
difierent  species  ;  but  there  are  several  varieties  in 
the  United  States,  not  yet  well  noticed,  some  of 
%vhich  may  be  perhaps  peculiar  species ;  such  are 

Var.  pubesccns,  with  pubescent  leaves,  in  Georgia. 

Var.  macrophylla,   with  large  leaves  half  a  fooi 
long,  corolla  hairy  inside  :  in  Louisiana,  &c. 

i2 


10^  CEPHAl.AS^TEtJS.  No.  iv 


Var.  ob  til  si  folia,  leaves  oval-oblong,  obtuse,  not 
undulate  :  in  New  York. 

They  all  blossom  insunnmer,  July  and  August : 
the  flowers  have  a  peculiar  fragrant  snnell,  similar  to 
Jessamine.     The  wood  is  brittle  and  useless. 

The  Genus  belonsis  to  the  screat  natural  order  of 
RuBiACEOtTS,  forming  with  Nauclea,  &.c.  a  peculiar 
section  or  family,  with  capitate  flowers.  It  ranks  in 
Tetrandria  Monogyjiia. 

Qualities — The  whole  shrub  active,  and  bitter- 
ish, the  bitterness  is  most  enfolded  in  the  bark  of  the 
roots  ;  this  bark  and  the  inner  bark  of  the  stem  are 
brittle,  somewhat  resembling  Cascarilla  and  Cog- 
wood,  in  appearance  and  qualities.  It  has  not  been 
analyzed;  but  contains  an  essential  oil,  besides  (he 
usual  principles  of  tonic  barks  :  the  oil  is  most  abun- 
dant in  the  flowers. 

PROPERTIES— Tonic,  febrifuge,  cathartic,  dia- 
phoretic, &c.  The  flowers,  leaves,  bark  of  stem.s  and 
roots,  are  used  by  the  Southern  Indians,  and  the 
French  settlers  of  Louisiana.  It  has  not  yet  been 
noticed  in  our  materia  medica,  and  is  even  omitted  by 
Schoepf  and  Henry  ;  but  it  deserves  further  atten- 
tion. A  fine  fragrant  syrup  may  be  made  with  the 
flov/ers  and  leaves,  which  is  a  mild  tonic  and  laxative. 
The  most  efficient  part  is  the  bark  of  the  root.  A  decoc- 
tion of  it,  cures  intermittent  fevers,  acting  on  the  bow- 
els at  the  same  time,  is  useful  in  relaxed  bowels,  &c. 

Substitutes — Cornus  or    Dogwood — Magnolias 
— Pinckneya — Liri  oJendron —  Cascarilla,  &c. 

Remarks — The    Platonus  occidentalis  or  Syca- 
more, also  called  Button-wood  i&  a  large  tree. 


No.  21. 

CHENOPODiUM  ANTHELMINTHICUM. 


WORMtSSED  OOOSBFOOT. 


No.  20  CHI3HOPODlU3«r-  103 


No.  21. 

CHENOPODIUM  ANTHELMINTICUM, 

English  Name— WORMSEED   GOOSEFOOT. 

French.  Name — Anserine  Vermifuge. 

German  Name — Wurmsamen  Gansefuss. 

Officinal  Name — Chenopodium  sen  Botiys  An- 
thelminticum. 

Vulgar  Names — Jerusalem  Oak,  Wormwood, 
Worm  seed,  Stinking  weed. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Schoepf, 
B.  Barton,  Mease,  Wilkins,  Coxe,  Thacher,  Chap- 
man, Stoker,  Big.  seq.  W.  Bart.  Mat.  IVIed.  fig.  44. 


Genus  Chenopodium — Perigone  simple  persistent, 
caliform,  rive  parted.  Stamina  five  perigyne.  Pistil 
free  with  a  bifid  style.  Seed  single,  lenticular,  co- 
vered by  the  perigone. 

Species  Ch.  anthelminticum. — Leaves  oval-ob* 
long,  sessile,  sinuate-toothed  :  flowers  terminal,  ses- 
sile, in  glomerules,  forming  leafless  panicled  slender 
spikes. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial  and  branched— 
Stem  upright,  grooved  and  branched,  branches  fasti- 
giate,  giving  a  shrubby  appearance  to  the  whole  plant, 
which  rises  from  two  to  five  feet  in  height — Leaves 
sessile,  alternate  or  scattered  ;  attenuated  at  both  ends, 
oval  or  oblong,  rather  thick,  dotted  beneath,  margin 
sinuate  by  large  unequal  obtuse  teeth,  nerves  very 
conspicuous. 

Flowers  very  small,  numerous  and  yellowish  green 


101  CHENOPODIUM.  No.  21. 

like  the  whole  plant,  forming  large,  loose  leafless  ter- 
minal panicles,  composed  of  many  slender  alterning 
small  spikes,  and  these  of  many  small  scattered  une- 
qual glomerules,  containing  from  five  to  twelve  sessile 
flowers.  Calix  or  simple  perigone  with  five  short 
oval  segments;  stamina  opposite  to  the  segments, 
and  protruding.  Styles  bifid  or  trifid,  filiform,  lon- 
ger than  the  stamina.  Seed  flat,  lenticular,  shining, 
covered  by  the  persistent  calix. 

HISTORY — 1  he  whole  plant  has  a  strong,  pun- 
gent smell,  somewhat  like  valerian,  which  is  disgust- 
ing to  many  persons  ;  this  smell  is  easily  known  and 
enables  to  distinguish  it  from  some  other  consimilar 
species,  which  are  often  blended  with  it :  such  are  the 
Ch.  nmhrosioidesSf  Ch.  botrys,  whose  smell  is  agree- 
able and  fragrant,  although  strong. 

The  genus  belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Atripli- 
CEs,  and  to  Pentandria  digynia  of  Linnaeus.  The 
generic  name  means  Goosefoot  in  Greek,  the  specific 
refers  to  its  value  against  worms. 

It  blossoms  from  July  to  September,  at  which  time 
the  plant  may  be  collected  and  dried  ;  but  if  the  seeds 
are  wanted,  October  is  the  best  time,  although  they 
ripen  in  succession  during  all  the  autumn.  The  plant 
is  now  sometimes  cultivated  for  medical  uses,  both  in 
America  and  Europe.  The  dried  plant  retains  the  pe- 
culiar smell. 

Locality — From  New  England  to  Missouri  and 
Georgia,  more  abundant  and  larger  in  the  South  : 
common  in  old  fields,  along  fences,  in  alluvions,  gra- 
Tel,  rubbish,  and  even  in  streets  5  but  never  in  woods 
nor  mountains. 


No.  21.  CHENOPOBITJIML  100 

Qualities — The  strong  and  lasting  smell  of  the 
whole  plant,  is  owing  to  an  essential  oil,  very  pene- 
trating or  pungent,  and  in  which  resides  the  medical 
property.  It  is  diffused  throughout  the  plant,  parti- 
cularly in  the  globular  dots  of  the  leaves,  and  the 
seeds.     The  taste  is  bitter,  acrid  and  aromatic. 

PROPERTIES— A  powerful  vermifuge  used  both 
in  America  and  Europe ;  found  equal  to  the  officinal 
wormseed,  which  is  the  Artemisia  Santolina,  a  very 
diflferent  plant,  native  of  Syria  and  Africa.  It  expels 
speedily,  the  Lumbrics  and  other  worms  of  the  in- 
testines. It  must  be  given  in  repeated  small  doses, 
and  the  most  palatable  form :  the  seeds  and  their  es- 
sential oil  are  the  most  efficacious,  eight  or  ten  drops 
of  the  oil,  mixed  with  sugar  are  a  common  dose  for  a 
child,  or  a  table  spoonful  morning  and  night  fasting, 
of  an  electuary  mode  of  the  pulverized  seeds  with 
honey.  A  conserve,  marmelade,  syrup,  beer,  decoo- 
tion  in  milk,  of  the  leaves,  (or  even  their  juice.)  are 
also  used.  Children  often  dislike  the  strons:  smell  of 
this  medicine,  and  it  must  be  disguised  by  orange  peel 
or  sweet  substances.  The  seeds  and  oil  are  now  kept 
in  the  pharmacies,  but  the  last  is  often  adulterated 
with  oil  of  Botrys  or  of  Turpentine ;  which  lessen  its 
power ;  it  may  then  be  known  by  a  less  pungent 
smell. 

This  plant  has  only  been  employed  against  worms, 
as  yet,  but  it  possesses  probably  all  the  properties  of 
the  Ch  Rofrys  and  amb,  osioides,  whicli  are  pecto- 
ral, resolvent,  carminative  and  emenagogue:  useful  in 
asthma,  suppressed  menstrations,  &c. 

Sii^BSTiTUTEs — Spigelia    or   Piukroot — Lobelia 


106  CHBNOPODIUM.  No.  21. 


cnrdinalis — Wormwood — Silene    Virs^inica — Pola- 
nisiagraveolens,  and  all  other  vermifuges. 

Remarks — Many  other  species  of  Chenopodi- 
urn  are  medical  ;  but  none  vermifuge  like  this  :  those 
which  approximates  in  appearance  and  smell  are  the 
following ;  which  must  not  be  mistaken  for  this  al- 
though useful  in  other  respects. 

Ch,  hotrys  or  sweet  Jerusalem  oak,  has  oblong  ob- 
tuse sinuate  leaves,  and  crowded  panicles.  Common 
all  over  the  United  States,  in  sand  and  gravel  near 
streams. 

Ch.  anihrosioides  or  Fragrant  Jerusalem  oak,  has 
narrow  or  lanceolate  toothed  leaves,  and  leafy  pani- 
cles, with  a  very  fragrant  smell,  stronger  than  in  the 
foregoing.  Grows  promiscuously  with  Ch,  anthel- 
Tninticum* 

The  whimsical  name  of  Jerusalum   oak   has  been 
given  to  these  plants,  from  a  fanciful  similitude  to  the 
leaves  of  the  oak. 
Henry's  figure  represents  probably  the  Ch.  botrys* 


iCUTA    MACULATA 


#'1 


H^MBRfCAW  HSBSIiOCfK. 


No.  22.  CICUTA.  107 

No.  22. 

CICUTA  MACULATA. 

English  Name— AMERIC  AN  HEMLOCK. 

French   Name — Cigue  d'Amerique. 

German  Name — Americanische  Schierling. 

Officinal   Names — Cicuta  Americana. 

Vulgar  Names — Snakeweed,  Death  of  man,  Wa- 
ter Parsley,  Poison  root,  Wild  hemlock,  Children's 
bane. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Sclioepf,  Pursh,  B.  Bar- 
ton, Ely,  Stockbridge,  Bigelow,  fig.  1£. 


Genus  Cicuta — Flowers  umliellate  :  No  invo- 
lucres, involuccls  many  leaved  and  short ;  calix  sym- 
phogyne,  crown  five  toothed  :  petals  ohoval,  entire, 
inflexed  ;  five  long  stamina  ;  Fruit  orbicular,  crown- 
ed ;  with  ten  furrows,  bipartible,  bisperme. 

Species  C.  maculata — Root  fasciculate,  tube- 
rose :  Stem  hollow  and  striated  ;  leaves  tripinnate, 
folioles  lanceolote,  serrate,  acuminate,  teeth  mucro- 
nate,  veins  exmedial:  involucels  acute,  fiowers  lax. 

DESCRIPTION — Root  perennial,  composed  of 
many  oblong  fJeshy  tubers,  of  a  finger's  size — Stem 
from  three  to  six  feet  high,   hollow,  striated,  jointed, 

purple    or   green,   smooth    and   branched. Leaves 

smooth,  decomposed,  alternate  with  petioles  clasping 
at  the  uase,  bi'obe,  membranaceous  ;  decreasing  in 
size  L!pwjr<rs,  w'  ere  they  are  only  ternate,  while  the 
lower  are  tripinnate  or  triternate,  folioles  sessile,  op. 


I 


108  CICUTA.  No.  22. 

posite,  lanceolate,  serrate,  acuminate,  with  veins  end- 
ing at  the  notches,  which  is  very  uniisuah 

Flowers  whitein  terminal  umbels, withoutinvolucres, 
umbels  with  seven  to  twelve  umbellules,  each  having 
from  twelve  to  twenty  flowers,  upright,  not  crowd- 
ed :  Involucels  very  short,  oblong,  acute  ;  calix  con- 
nected with  the  pistil,  crowned,  crown  with  five 
minute  segments.  Petals  five  obovate,  wliite,  entire, 
end  inflexed.  Filaments  longer  filiform,  anther? 
ovaL  Twoshort  recurved  styles.  Fruit  nearly  globular, 
divisible  into  two  seeds  as  in  all  the  umbellate  plants,, 
each  is  flnt  inside,  convex  outside,  with  five  furrows. 

Locality — In  wet  m^eadows,  pastures,  and  ditch- 
es ;  near  streams  and  swamps,  from  New  England  to 
Georgia  and  Ohio:  also  in  the.  mountains  of  Penn- 
sylvania and  Virginia. — Blossoming  in  summer,  from 
July  to  August. 

HISTORY — The  genus  Ciciita  is  one  of  the  poi- 
sonous hemlocks  ;  the  Cominn  7naailuium^  is,  how- 
ever, considered  as  the  true  hemlock  and  the  most 
virulent:  but  the  deadly  poison  of  that  name  (ren- 
dered famous  by  the  death  of  Socrates)  was  a  com- 
pound beverage,  in  the  United  Slates,  the  same 
name  Is  capriciously  given  to  a  beautiftd  and  useful 
species  of  Fir-tree. 

Both  Ciciifa  and  Conhini  belong  to  the  natural  or- 
der of  UMBELLATE,  or  Umbclliferous  plants,  and  to 
Pentandria  dis^ynia  of  Linnaeus,  although  they 
have  only  one  pistil. 

Ciciita  was  the  old  latin  name,  macuJata  means 
spotted }  but  the  plant  not  being  spotted,  it  is  a  very 


No.  ^2.  CICUTA.  kQ^ 

bad  specific  name  ;  which  Bigelow  would  have 
changed  into  fasciculata^  if  changes  of  old  names 
should  not  be  avoided. 

Many  umbellate  plants  growing  near  waters  are 
poisonous,  although  the  Sweet  Sisily  or  Myrrhis  is 
not.  The  root  of  the  last  is  often  sought  for  by  chil- 
dren, who  like  its  sweet  taste  ;  but  are  apt  to  mistake 
this  and  many  other  poisonous  plants  for  it,  by  which 
mistake  several  have  been  poisoned.  It  would  be- 
well  to  avoid  all  similar  plants;  or  at  least  to  attend 
to  their  different  smell  and  taste,  which  is  strong  and 
disagreeable  in  all  the  pernicious  kinds. 

These  deleterious  plants  appear  to  lose  some  of 
their  virulence  when  growing  in  a  drier  soil,  or  cul- 
tivated in  gardens.  Sheep  and  goats  eat  them  with 
impunity,  and  even  cattle  do  not  appear  injured  by 
them  vvhen  mixed  with  hay. 

Several  persons  searching  for  Angelica  root.  Sweet 
ftag,  Sweet  Sisily  (which  have  all  a  pleasant  aromatic 
smell  and  taste,)  have  eaten  this  root  by  mistake,  and 
some  have  died  in  an  hours  time.  The  effects  of  the 
poison  were  violent  convulsions,  a  frothing  mouth, 
a  bleeding  nose,  dilated  pupils,  fixed  eyes,  &c.  »  hen 
vomiting  was  produced  naturally,  they  were  saved, 
after  being  very  sick  for  three  days,  with  stupor, 
paleness,  &c.  Persons  poisoned  in  this  way,  ought 
therefore  to  evacuate  the  stomach,  by  tickling  the  . 
throat,  OF  taking  an  emetic  ;  sulphate  of  zinc  is  the 
most  speedy.  Vinegar  or  Lemon  juice  may  also  be 
given  to  neutralize  the  narcotic  poison,  and  next  Cas- 
tor oil,  mild  purgatives,  strong  coffee,  &:c.  after  vo- 
m^iting. 


IfO  CZCtJTA.  No.  22; 

Qualities — The  root  has  a  strong  penetrating 
smell  and  taste,  its  bark  contains  a  yellowish  juice  in 
small  cavities.  The  juice  of  the  root  is  viscid,  resin- 
ous, dissolves  in  alcohol,  and  is  precipitated  by  wa- 
ter. It  produces  a  thick  volatile  oil  by  distillation, 
and  a  resin  of  a  dark  orange  color  is  left.  The  de- 
coction of  the  root  is  whitish.  The  extract  of  the 
whole  plant  is  dark  and  has  a  nauseous  smell. 

PROPERTIES — A  strong  narcotic,  solvent,  and 
good  substitute  for  the  Coiiiuni  viaeulatum,  being 
more  powerfuly^  arrd  requiring  a  lesser  dose.  A  few 
grains  of  the  dried  leaves  or  extract  have  been  given 
in  schirrose  and  scrofulous  tumors  and  ulcers,  with 
equal  advantage ;  but  a  larger  dose  produces  nausea 
and  vomiting :  the  doses  should  be  very  small,  often 
repeated  and  gradually  increased.  It  has  been  used 
in  gargle  for  the  sore  throat,  but  safer  substances 
flight  to  be  preferred. 

Stjbstitutes — Coiiium    maculatum — Angelica 
airopuryurca^  and  other  violent  narcotics. 

REMARKs-^The  Indians  when  tired  of  life,  are 
said  to  poison  themselves  vvith  the  roots  of  this  plant 
^j)d  the  purple  Angelica^  t^a?.  airopurpurca. 


No    23. 

Ci^LLINSONIA   CANADENSIS 


BROABLEAT  STONSROOT. 


No.  23.  COLX.ZNSONZA.  Ill 


No.  23. 

COLLTNSONIA  CANADENSIS. 

English  Name-BROABLEAF  COLLINSONIA 

French   Name-^Collinsone  du  Canada. 

German  Name — Canadische  Collixsonie. 

Officinal   Name— Collinsonia. 

Vulgar  Names — Richweed,  Richleaf,  Healrall, 
Horsevveed,    Knot-root,   Stone-root,  Knot-weed,  &c. 

Authorities — -Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Schoepf,  Mease^ 
&c. 


Genus  Collinsonia — Calix  campanulate,  bilabiate, 
iive  toothed.  Corolla tubulose,  limbus  unequal  sub-bi- 
labiate, campanulate,  upper  lip  very  short,  notched? 
lower  lip  fringed.  Stamina  two  or  four,  or  rather 
four,  two  of  which  are  often  sterile,  or  without  an- 
thers. One  pistil,  one  style,  stigma  lateral.  Fruit 
-four  seeds,  often  only  one  or  two  by  abortion — Leaves 
opposite,  flowers  terminal  panicled,  commonly  yel- 
lowish. 

Species  C.  canadensis — Smooth;  leaves  .few,  am- 
ple, petiolate,  cordate,  serrate,  acuminate  :  panicle 
lax,  teeth  of  the  calix  subulate,  equal  to  the  tube  of 
the  corolla,  two  fertile  stamina. 

DESCJIIPTION— Root  perennial,  knotty,  depres- 
sed,  hard  with  many    slender  fibres — Stem   simple, 
round,  straight,  about  two  feet  high. — Only    two  or 
-jjiree  pairs  of  large  tU in  leaves,  on  long  petioles,  cor- 


lis  COZ.X.XNSONXA.  No.  23. 

date  at  the  base,  broadly  ovate,  acuminate,  with  broad 
teeth,  surface  smooth,  with  small  veins. 

Inflorescence  in  a  terminal  leafless  panicle,  formed 
by  branched  racemes — Flowers  opposite  on  long  pe- 
duncles, with  short  subulate  bracteoles.  Calix  cam- 
panulate,  with  five  subulate  teeth,  forming  two  lips, 
the  lower  lip  is  longer  and  with  two  segments.  Co^ 
roUa  yellowish,  tubular  at  the  base,  spreading  above 
in  two  lips ;  the  upper  lip  is  very  short  and  notched, 
the  lower  lip  is  lobed  on  the  sides,  and  fringed 
around.  Two  long  protru-ding  stamina,  filaments  fili- 
form, anthers  oval.  Style  protruding.  Seeds  oftea 
abortive,  and  only  one  ripening. 

HISTORY — Collinsonia  is  a  genus  peculiar  to 
iS^orth  America,  and  dedicated  to  Collinson,  an  En- 
o-lish  botanist  and  philosopher.  It  was  at  first  formed 
by  this  single  species,  but  has  since  been  increased  by 
many  others,  which  have  all  the  same  habit :  where- 
by the  genus  is  easily  distinguished  from  the  Salvia 
(Sage),  Monarda  and  Lycopus,  genera  belonging  to 
the  same  natural  order  of  Labiate,  and  section  of 
Diandrous.  But  this  genus  offers  the  anomaly  of 
having  some  tetrandrous  species  :  wherefore  it  might 
he  placed  both  in  Diandria^  Tetrandria  ov  Didyna- 
?nia  of  Linnaeus ! 

The  species  with  four  stamina  are  C.  *^iiisata, 
C.  longtjlora  4-  C.  Verticillaris  ^,  ludov.  They 
must  of  course  form  a  peculiar  subgenus,  which  I  have 
called  Ilypogon  ;  and  perhaps  consistency  requires  to 
make  a  genus  of  it,  in  order  to  obviate  the  anomaly 
in. classification.     However,  thev  all  possess  the  same 


-^o.  23.  COZ.X.ZNSONX  A,  4 1 3 


qualities  and  properties,  as  well  as  the  strikino-  habit 
of  large  leaves  and  panicled  fringed  flowers  often  yeU 
low. 

The  C.  canadensis  is  a  handsome  estival  plant, 
blossoming  from  July  to  September. 

Locality — ^Found  from  Canada  to  Carolina,  is 
woods ;  rare  tovvards  the  south  and  confined  to  rich 
valleys;  very  common  in  the  mountains  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  York.  It  disappears  west  of  the  mouii- 
tains  ;  but  is  replaced  by  other  congeneric  species. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  has  a  strong  balsamu 
smell,  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  Salvia  Sclarea  :  it 
is  sweeter  and  stronger  in  the  blossoms  and  worse  in 
the  root.  It  affords  by  distiljation  an  essential  oiL 
possessing  the  same  smell.  The  taste  is  pungent  and 
warm. 

PROPERTIES — ^Vulnerary,  coroborant,  carminar 
live,  subtonic,  diuretic,  and  a  warm  stimulant.   It  ap- 
pears to  combine    the  properties   of  Sage,  Mint  and 
Woundwort:  {Anthyllis  Vulneraria^  therefore  it  may 
be  substituted  to  them.     It  is  one  of  the  plants  called 
Heal-all,  in   the   United  States,    because    they  cure 
sores  and  wounds  :  the  Indians  employ  this  plant  for 
that  purpose.    In  the  mountains  and  hills  of  Virginia, 
Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Carolina,  this  genus  is  con* 
sideredas  a  panacea,  and  used  outwardly  and  inward- 
ly in  many  disorders ;  it  is  applied  in  poultice  and 
wash  for  bruises,  sores,  blows,  falls,  wounds,  sprains, 
contusions,  and  taken  like  tea  for  head  aches,  cholics, 
cramps,  dropsy,  indigestion,  &c.     The  whole  plants 

k3 


115.  CTOr-tlNSONIA.  No.  23 

are  used,  both  fresh  and  dry  :  they  are  also  employed 
for  the  sore-backs  of  horses. 

According  to  Schoepf,  it  is  useful  in  the  dumb  fe- 
Ter,  lochial  cholic,  bites  of  snakes,  and  for  rheuma- 
tic pains,  in  strong  frictions  of  the  leaves.  Dr.  Mease 
Telates  that  the  root  infused  in  cider  has  cured  the 
-dropsy. 

Substitutes — t^corus  Calamus — Aniseed — Sal- 
via or   Sage — Monarda  or   Horsemint — Mentha  or 
Mint — Cunila  or   Dittany — and  many  other  labiate 
plants. — For    sores    Ba^.^sia    tinctoria — Solanum 
Virginicuni — Galax  rotundifolia^  &c. 

Remarks — All  the  other  species  df  this  genus  have 
the  same  smell,  taste  and  properties  :  they  are  equal- 
ly employed.  The  C.  anisata  has  a  finer  smell, 
somewhat  similar  to  aniseed,  by  which  it  may  be  easi- 
ly known.  The  other  species  are  so  much  alike  as 
to  be  easily  blended,  or  taken  for  each  other.  They 
have,  hov^ever,  narrower  leaves,  often  hairy  :  and 
the  C,  tuberosa  has  a  larger  softer  root. 

The  most  common  and  officinal  in  Kentucky,  Ohio 
&e.  is  a  new  species,  which  I  have  called  C.  angustt- 
folia;  it  is  about  a  foot  high,  has  smooth  lanceolate 
or  oblong  leaves,  three  inches  long,  acute  at  both 
ends,  margin  crenate  serrate  ;  racemes  slender,  flow- 
ers small,  yellowish,  teeth  of  the  calix  acute,  shorter 
than  the  tube  ;  corolla  less  fringed  than  in  the  others; 
%\vo  long  stamina* 


No.   24. 

COMPTONIA    ASPLENIFOLIA. 


samvBBY  swssTrsiuv. 


No.  24.  COMPTONZA.  1  i& 


No.    24, 

COMPTONIA  ASPLENIFOLIA. 

English  Name— SHRUBBY  SWEETFERN. 

French  Name — Comptonier  odorant. 

German  Name — Streifenfarp^^. 

Officinal  Names — Comptoii.         alcifilix  folia. 

Vulgar  Names — Sweet-fern,  Sweet-bush,  Sweet- 
ferry,  Fern-bush,  Fern-gale,  Spleen  wort-bush,  &c. 

Synonyms — Liquidambar  peregriniim  Sf  L.  Cisple- 
nifolia  of  Linnaeus.  Mi/rica  aspleiii/olia  Gronov'ius, 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Aiton,  Michaux,  Pursh, 
^Schoepf,  B.  Barton,  W.   Barton,  M.  M.  fig.  19,  &e. 


Genus  Comptonia — Monoical,  amentaceous — ^M. 
fl.  in  long  cylindrical  catkins,  scales  one  flowered, 
'perigone  two-leaved,  three  forked  stamina,  six  anthers. 
JF.  fl,  in  globular  inferior  catkins,  scales  one  flowered, 
perigone  six  leaved,  one  pistil,  two  styles,  fruit  ovate, 
evalve,  one-seeded  nut  or  achene. 

Species  C.  Asplenifolia — Shrubby,  leaves  crowd- 
ed, sessile,  narrow  lanceolate,  alternately  crenate-si- 
iiuate. 

DESCRIPTION— A  small  shrub  from  two  to  five 
feet  high,  with  many  crooked  branches  and  long  hori- 
zontal roots — Leaves  alternate,  crowded,  sessile,  with 
*two  small  oval  acute  stipules  at  the  base,  from  three  to 
five  inches  long,  half  an  inch  broad,  acute  at  both 
ends,  with  a  strong  middle  nerve  -,  each  side  regul^- 


116  COMPTONIA.  No.  S4. 

\y  sinuate  by  large  equal  obtuse  lobules — (Flovvers  ap- 
pearing before  the  leaves ;  the  male  in  many  superior 
lateral  and  cylindrical  catkins,  the  female  inferior  in  a 
few  globular  or  oval  lateral  catkins — scales  of  both 
^catkins  imbricated  concave,  reniform,  acuminate,  ca- 
ducous and  one  flowered.  Male  flowers  with  a  two- 
leaved  perigone,  shorter  than  the  scales,  each  part 
equal  and  keeled.  Six  stamina  or  anthers,  on  three 
short  forked  filaments.  Female  flowers  with  a  bristly 
perigone  of  six  filiform  persistent  segments,  longer 
than  the  scales.  Pistil  oval,  two  capillary  styles. 
Seeds  evalve  oval  nuts  or  achenes,  compressed  yel- 
low, forming  a  round  burr. 

HISTORY— This  pretty  shrub  forms  by  itself  a 
solitary  genus  of  the  natural  order  amentaceous,  de- 
dicated by  Solander  and  Aiton  to  Compton,  an  En- 
glish bishop,  and  friend  of  Botany.  It  may  be  placed 
in  MoNOECiA  triandria  or  hexandria  or  triadd- 
jahia  ! 

It  has  been  called  Sweet-fern,  owing  to  its  singular 
leaves,  similar  to  the  Spleenwort  fern,  and  having  a 
pleasant  spicy  scent.  It  blossoms  very  early  in  March 
and  April,  before  the  leaves  are  unfolded. 

Linnseus  had  united  it  to  Liquidambar  or  the  sweet 
o-um  tree,  and  Gronovius  before  him  to  Myrica  or  wax 
shrub,  which  have  a  similar  inflorescence. 

Locality — ^From  New  England  to  Carolina,  on 
hills  and  alluvial  plains,  in  poor,  roeky  and  sandy 
soils,  forming  vast  glades  in  thin  woods.  Common 
both  on  the  Allegheny  mountains  and  the  plains  of 


Ko.  24,  COMPTONXA.  il7 

New  Jersey,  &c.  but  nearly  disappearing  west  of  the 
jnountains,  and  unknown  to  the  western  plains. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  but  chiefly  the  leaves 
have  a  peculiar  strong  smell,,  of  a  sweet  and  balsamic 
nature;  becoming  stronger  by  pressing  or  bruising 
them.  It  contains  the  benzoic  acid,  tannin  and  a  resi- 
nous substance.      The  taste  is  balsamic  and  pungent. 

PROPERTIES— Astringent,  tonic,  calefacient, 
Gjephalic,  balsamic,  expectorant,  &c.  It  possesses  all 
the  properties  of  the  tonic  and  astringent  balsams* 
Barton  recommends  it  for  diarrhea,  loose  bowels  and 
the  summer  complaint  of  children,  or  cholera  infan- 
tum, in  the  form  of  a  weak  decoction  ;  but  it  is  used 
in  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  for  many  other  diseases, 
such  as  all  children's  bowel  complaints,  (where  it 
forms  a  grateful  drink  for  them)  in  rhachitis,  in  debili- 
ty, in  fevers  as  a  diluent  tonic ;  in  rheumatism  and 
contusions  it  is  less  available.  The  root  chewed  stops 
blood-spitting,  according  to  Scboepf.  Upon  the  whole 
this  shrub  appears  to  be  deserving  of  further  atten- 
tion, I  have  seen  it  employed  throughout  the  country 
as  a  substitute  or  auxiliary  to  the  more  expensive  bal- 
sams, in  asthma,  bronchitis,  &c. 

Substitutes — Storax — Tolu — -Sassafras — Laurns 
benzoin— A^Yixnony — Mitchella  repens — Gaultherta 
procumhensy  and  all  mild  balsamic  astringents. 


il8  CONIUIVE.  No.  25. 

No.  25.. 

CONIUM  MACULATUM. 

ENGI.ISH  Name— COM iMON  HEMLOCK. 

French  Name — Cigue  commune. 

German  Name- — ^Oemeine  Schierlikg. 

Officin-al  Name — Conium,  Cicuta  oiEcinalis, 

Vulgar  Names — Poison  Parsley,  Spotted  Pars- 
iey. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Schoepf,  Murray,  Culr 
ien,  Coxe,  many  Dispens.  Bigelow,  fig.  ll,,  and  Seq. 

Genus  Conium — Flowers  umbellate,  witli  many 
leaved  involucres,  and  dimidiate  involuceis.  Calix 
concrete  with  the  pistil,  margin  entire.  Petals  five 
entire  inflexed.  Stamina  five,  Styles  two.  Fruit  bi- 
partible,  two  seeded,  oval,  compressed,  ribbed,  ribs 
wrinkled  or  crenate. 

Species  G  Maculatum — Stem  round,  hollow, 
striated,  and  spotted  :  leives  decomposed,  bi  or 
tripinnate,  folioles  opposite,  sessile,  pinnatifid  :  frui^ 
with  undulated  ribs. 
DESCRIPTION— Root  biennial,  elongated,  branch- 
ed or  fusiform — Stem  from  two  to  four  feet  high, 
branched,  smooth,  round,  striated,  hollow,  jointed, 
and  with  oblong  purplisii  dotts— Leaves  smooth,  de- 
composed, two  or  three  times  pinnate,  with  short 
sheathing  petioles,  leaflets  or  folioles  pinnatifid^  QXSi}^ 
nearly  obtuse,  often  conijiient. 


No.  25. 

CONIUM  MACULATUM. 


COMMON  BSMkOCS. 


Flowers  in  terminal  peJuncled  umbels,  with  an  in- 
Tolucre  of  ten  to  twelve  lanceolate,  reflected,  acute 
leaflets — Umbellules  from  six  to  nine  on  long  pedun- 
cles, involucels  with  three  or  four  similar  leahets  situ- 
ated on  one  side.  Flowers  very  small  and  white* 
Calix  without  apparent  teeth — Petals  five,  oval,  in- 
flexed,  obtuse  and  entire  at  the  end — Stamina  five,  as 
long  as  the  petals.  Pistil  coherent  with  the  calix, 
rounded,  bearing  the  petals  and  stamina  :  Styles  twoy 
reflexed  outside.  Fruit  nearly  oval  compressed,  with 
crenate  ribs,  separating  into  two  elliptical  seeds,  flat 
inside,  convex  outside. 

HISTORY— The  Coiiium  of  the  Greeks  and  the 
Cicuta  of  the  Romans,  was  a  poisonous  plant,  the 
juice  of  which  was  used  to  produce  death  in  Ceos  and 
Athens.  Socrates  and  Phocion,  two  virtuous,  emi- 
nent and  innocent  Athenians,  were  condemned  to 
drink  it,  and  their  death  has  rendered  famous,  that 
poisonous  potion.  '  Either  this  plant  or  the  Cicuta 
virosa  of  Europe  afi'orded  it,  or  a  compound  beve- 
rage was  made  from  several  poisonous  umbelliferous 
plants,  which  procured  a  speedy  but  tranquil  disso- 
lution. 

It  has  since  been  found,  that  these  plants,  like  ma- 
ny other  poisons,  have  valuable  medical  properties, 
nearly  similar  in  all  the  deleterious  species  of  this 
family.  The  Conium  macidafum,  is  tlie  most  em- 
ployed, and  must  be  distinguished  from  others,  either 
more  or  less  active,  by  its  botanical  characters;  be- 
sides its  strong  smell,  spotted  stems,  parsley  leaveS;, 
&c.     The  power  of  this  plant  vary  exceedingly,  ac- 


IgO  eONXXnU.  No.  2av 

cording  to  the  place  and  clinnate  where  it  grows,  the 
time  when  collected,  and  the  preparations  of  it. 

It  is  most  powerful  in  warm  climates,  in  the  sum- 
mer, and  when  fall  grown.  Some  persons  are  hardly 
affected  by  it :  while  others  are  more  susceptible  ;  on 
these  it  produces  dizziness,  nausea,  disturbed  sight, 
faintness,  &c,  w^hich  symptoms  appear  in  half  an 
hour  and  last  half  a  day  or  more.  A  large  dose  pro- 
duces worse  symptoms,  vertigo,  paralysis,  convul- 
sions and  death.  There  is  little  danger  of  being  poi- 
soned by  this  plant  through  mistake,  owing  to  its  bad 
smell  ;  yet  there  are  instances  on  record  that  children 
have  taken  it  for  parsley  and  the  root  for  carrot  : 
whereby  sickness  and  death  have  been  produced.  In 
the  United  States,  the  Cicuta  maciduta  is  more  dan- 
srerous  on  that  score. 

This  plant  blossoms  in  summer  from  June  to  Au- 
gust. It  belongs  like  all  the  Umbellate  to  Pen- 
TANDRiA  digyiiici  of  Linnseus. 

Locality — Native  of  Europe  ;  but  now  naturaliz- 
ed in  New  England,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Vir- 
ginia, Ohio,  &c.  mostly  found  in  old  fields,  near  roads 
and  fences,  ou  the  banks  of  rivers,  &c.  Very  com- 
mon in  some  local  spots ;  but  not  found  every  where. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  has  a  disagreeable 
virose  smell  (somewhat  like  the  urine  of  a  cat)  which 
becomes  stronger  when  the  leaves  are  bruised.  The 
root  contains  in  the  spring  a  milky  juice,  highly  vir- 
ulent. The  essential  active  acrid  principle  of  this 
plant  appear  to  reside  in  a  green  resinous  substance, 
called  Coneiney   dissipating  by  exposure  to  air  atfid 


No.  25.  CONXUM.  ±2i 

light,  but  not  by  fire.  It  contains  Gum,  Extractive, 
a  green  fecula,  Resin,  Albumen  and  many  alkalies  ; 
but  no  essential  oil.  The  taste  is  bitter  and  nau- 
seous. 

PROPERTIES — A  powerful  acrid  narcotic  and 
resolvent;  but  the  uncertainty  of  its  action  lessens 
its  value.  It  is  never  dangerous  in  very  small  doses, 
often  repeated,  and  gradually  increased.  It  is  also  aii 
efficient  anodyne,  sedative  and  antispasmodic,  useful 
to  allay  pain  in  acute  diseases.  It  has  been  recom 
mended  in  many  chronic  diseases,  such  as  cancer, 
epilepsy,  mania,  syphilis,  &c.  but  in  those  cases  it 
acts  only  as  a  palliation  to  pain,  like  opium,  to  which 
it  is  often  preferable,  as  less  constipating. 

The  diseases  in  which  it  has  been  found  useful,  are 
chronic  abcesses,  schirrose  tumors,  foul  ulcers,  ric- 
kets, caries,  repelled  itch,  abdominal  and  internal 
swellings,  obstructions,  hemicrania,  dropsy  of  the 
joints,  obstinate  ophthalmia  and  cataracts,  &c.  In  all 
these  cases  it  acts  as  an  efficient  repellent  and  resol- 
vent. • 

True  Schlrrus  and  Cancer  cannot  be  cured  by  it ; 
but  obstinate  and  scrofulous  tumors  or  swelled  testi- 
cles (which  terminate  in,  or  are  mistaken  for  schin- 
rus)  have  been  removed  by  its  use. 

The  effects  of  this  plant  are  so  variable,  that  some 
physicians  have  pronounced  it  inert  or  a  mere  diuretic, 
having  been  deceived  in  their  prescriptions  owing  to 
bad  preparations  or  otherwise. 

In  tic  douleureux  it  has  afforded  relief  or  even  ef- 
fected a  cure,  when  nothing  else  could  avail.     While 

I. 


123  CONXUM.  No.  25. 

-        .  .  .  .  —aa 

it  is  highly  extolled  in  jaundice,  removing  the  yel- 
lowness in  a  short  time,  and  curing  the  disease,  when 
not  too  complicated.  It  has  also  a  relaxing  effect  in 
facilitating  the  passage  of  biliary  concretions. 

Although  recommended  for  the  whooping  cough,  it 
is  not  a  safe  medicine  for  children. 

The  bast  way  to  administer  it,  is  that  of  the  pow- 
dered leaves,  beginning  with  two  or  three  grains,  and 
increasing  the  doses  gradually.  The  leaves  must 
preserve  their  green  color  to  be  efficient.  Yet  the 
most  usual  form  is  the  green  extract,  beginning  with 
one  to  five  grains  j  but  it  is  difficult  to  regulate  the  do- 
ses, each  parcel  having  a  different  strength,  and  being 
even  nearly  inert  when  made  with  dry  leaves,  or  young 
plants,  or  with  too  much  heat,  or  when  become  old. 
It  would  therefore  be  desirable  to  procure  the  Coneine 
of  a  permanent  strength.  An  extract  from  the  seeds 
is  said  to  be  stronger  and  produces  giddiness  very 
soon.  Externally  it  has  been  used  in  cataplasms  for 
carcinoma,  syphilis,  leprosy  and  obstructions.  Vine- 
gar and  lemon  juice  are  the  antidotes  for  the  poison 
or  over-doses  of  this  plant. 

Substitutes — Cicuta  macuIatO'^^ngeUca  atrO' 
purpurea — Datura  stramonium — Hyosciamus  ni- 
ger — Solarium  dulcam,ara — Opium,  &c. 

Remarks — The  white  and  milky  root  of  this  plant 
is  considered  a  violent  poison  and  not  used,  although 
t  might  be  more  efficient  than  the  leaves.  It  cannot 
contain  however  the  active  principle  called  Coneine, 
which  is  green,  and  it  is  found  that  whenever  the 
leaves  or  extract  lose  their  green  color  they  become 
inert. 


No.  26. 

CONVOLVULUS  PANDURATUS 


•!\ 


MSCBAMECB  BUVDWEEB. 


No.  26.  CONVOLVULUS.  l^B 

No  26. 

CONVOLVULUS  PANDURATUS. 

English  Name— MECHAMECK  BINDWEED. 

French  Name — Liseron  mechamec. 

German  Name — Geigenblattrige  winde. 

Officinal   Names — Convolv.  pandurati   sen  Pseu- 
do-mechoacana,  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Wild  Potatoe,  Wild  Rhubarb, 
Mecbameck,  M  ild  Jalap,  Man  in  the  ground,  Meco- 
acan,  Potatoe  Vine,  Kussander,  Kassader,  &c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,      Schoepf,    Coxe,   Disp. 
Bigelow  Seq.    B.  Barton,   Nuttal,  W.  Bart.  V.   M 
M.  fig.  £3. 


Genus  Convolvulus — Calix  five  parted,  segments 
unequal  imbricated.  Corolla  bell  or  funnel  shaped, 
iimbus  equal,  nearly  entire,  with  five  folds  and  teeth. 
Five  unequal  stamina  on  the  corolla.  One  pistil  sur- 
rounded by  a  glandular  disk,  one  style,  stigma  bifid 
or  bilobe.     Capsule  bilocular,  few  seeded. 

Species  C.  Panduratus — Root  tuberose ;  stem 
twining  ;  leaves  cordate,  acute,  entire  or  pandurate ; 
peduncles  multiflore,  calix  mutic,  corolla  funnel- 
shaped. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  very  large,  cy- 
lindric  or  fusiform,  from  two  to  four  feet  long,  as 
thick  as  the  arm,  yellowish  outside,  whitish  and  mil- 
ky inside,  with  many  fissures,  often  branched  below 


i2it  OONVbiiVtrLES.  No.  2^. 

and  attenuated  above. — Stem  procumbent  or  climbing, 
round,  purplish,  from  three  to  twelve  feet  long,  some- 
times branched — Leaves  cordate  at  the  base,  broad, 
alternate,  petiolate,  margin  entire  or  undulate,  or 
lobed  on  the  sides  like  a  fiddle,  very  sharp,  but  hard- 
ly acuminate,  smooth,  deep  green  above,  pale  green 
below. 

Flowers  in  fascicles  of  two  to  six,  on  long  pedun- 
cles, longer  than  the  petioles,  and  axillary,  pedicels  un- 
equal. Calix  with  five  unequal  segments,  ovate  ob- 
tuse, concave,  mutic,  two  smaller  opposite  outside — 
Corolla  large,  funnel  shaped,  about  two  or  three  in- 
ches long,  and  as  broad  above,  base  tubulose,  color 
white  or  incarnate  or  purplish.  Stamina  white,  fila- 
ments filiform,  unequal,  inclosed,  anthers  oblong. 
Style  white,  filiform,  stigma  bipartite,  segments  li— 
4iear.     Capsule  oblong,  with  two  cells  and  four  seeds. 

HISTORY — A  great  botanical  confusion  had  arisen 
m  this  genus,  and  the  natural  tribe  of  Volvulides  or 
Convolvulacea,  of  which  it  is  the  type.  The  genera 
of  this  family  had  not  been  well  fixed,  and  Ipomea 
particularly  was  so  little  distinguished  from  ConvoU 
vulus  that  many  species  were  considered  as  belonging 
to  both  !  It  is  now  ascertained  (as  I  pointed  out  in  a 
dissertation  published  in  1820)  that  the  inequality  of 
the  stamina  is  the  principal  character  of  the  family, 
and  that  Ipomea  is  distinguished,  not  by  the  variable 
corolla,  but  by  the  trilocular  capsul  and  capitate  or 
trilobe  stigma.  Both  genera  contain  a  multitude  of 
species,  many  of  which  are  medical,  such  as  C  Sea- 
moniaf  C.  turpethum,  C.jalapa,  &c.  which  are  all 
firastic  or  cathartic. 


No,  26.  COKVOZ.Vt7X.US.  ±25 


The  true  jalap  of  commerce  has  been  ascribed  to  se- 
veral plants,  and  a  controversy  exists  on  the  subject, 
This  plant  is  one  of  the  false  jalaps,  the  others  are  the 
Ipomea  rnacrorhiza  of  Michaux,  found  from  Georgia 
to  Yucatan  on  the  sandy  shores,  and  several  Bind- 
weeds growing  in  South  America*  The  true  Cja- 
lapa  appears  to  grow  on  the  Andes  of  South  America 
and  Mexico. 

Our  C  panduratus  has  also  been  mistaken  for  Sea- 
mony,  Rhubarb  and  Meclioacan.  The  native  name 
of  Mechameck  ought  to  be  given  to  it  as  a  distinc- 
tive appellation.  It  blossoms  in  summer,  from  June 
to  August.  It  was  named  panduratus  by  Linnaeus, 
because  the  leaves  are  often  lobed  on  the  sides  like  a 
fiddle  ;  but  this  does  not  always  happen,  and  some 
plants  have  all  the  leaves  cordate  and  entire. 

The  cathartic  properties  of  this  plant  and  of  Ipo- 
mea rnacrorhiza  have  been  denied  by  Bigelow, 
Baldwm,  &c.  and  even  the  latter  considered  as  edible; 
but  it  appears  that  all  the  species  of  these  two  ge- 
nera, having  milky  roots,  are  more  or  less  cathartic, 
particularly  when  fresh. 

They  both  belong  to  Pentaxdria  monogynia  of 
Linnaeus.  Convolvulus,  {XWieEvolvulus) dQiiv^shom 
the  twining  habit  of  the  genus. 

Locality — Common  all  over  the  United  States, 
from  Canada  and  New  England  to  Florida  and  Mis- 
souri, in  poor  and  loose  soils,  sandy  and  slaty  fields, 
gravelly  hills  and  alluvions,  open  glades  and  ihicketsj 
but  seldom  in  shady  \voods. 

Qualities — The  taste  and  smell  of  the  root,  ap- 
proximate to  Scamony  and  Jalap  ;  but  are  less  nau- 

l2 


136  CONVOLVULUS.  No.  26. 

seous  and  acrid.  This  root  may  be  known  by  its  size, 
yellowish  color,  and  crevisses.  It  is  milky  when 
fresh.  The  extract  from  it  resembles  Scamony  and 
possesses  the  same  properties. 

PROPERTIES— Cathartic,  diuretic  and  pectoral. 
It  acts  like  jalap,  Thubarb,  briony  and  scamony  at  a 
larger  dose,  when  given  in  substance  ;  but  the  extract 
from  the  fresh  root  is  more  efficient,  and  is  a  mild  ca- 
thartic at  a  small  dose  of  ten  or  twelve  grains.  It  is 
seldom  used  by  physicians,  but  often  by  Indian  doc- 
tors. It  is  a  safe  substitute  for  the  more  costly  roots 
above  mentioned,  and  as  a  root  often  weighs  twenty 
pounds,  it  might  be  made  an  article  of  trade.  As  a 
diuretic  it  is  useful  in  gravel,  strangury,  dropsy,  &c. 
it  enables  to  evacuate  small  calculous  granulations, 
and  may  be  taken  in  substance  or  decoction.  As  a 
pectoral  it  has  been  used  for  consumptive  coughs  and 
asthma  ;  a  syrup  is  made  of  it  with  Skunk  cabbage, 
for  that  purpose. 

Substitutes Jalap Rhubarb — Scamony 

Briony — Erigeron   Sp, — Pyrola    umbellata — Jis- 
clepias  tuberosa,  4'C. 

Remarks— It  is  asserted  that  the  Indians  can  han- 
dle Rattle-snakes  with  impunity,  after  wetting  their 
hands  with  the  milky  juice  of  the  root  of  this  plant, 
or  of  Jirurn  triphyllum, 

Henry's  figure  is  erroneous,  having  triangular  leaves 
and  bracteolate  flowers. 

The  root  must  be  collected  at  the  end  of  summerj 
and  if  to  be  dried  ought  to  be  cut  in  slices. 


No.  27. 

COETIS  TRIFOLIA. 


COMMON  GOLDTHREAD. 


No.  27,  COPTXS.  127 

No.  27. 

COPTIS  TRIFOLIA. 

English  Name— COMMON  GOLDTHREAD. 

French   Name — Coptis  triphylle. 

German  Name — Kleinste  christwurz. 

Officinal  Names — Helleborus  trifolius,  Coptis^ 
Fibraurea,  &c. 

Vulgar    Names — Gold-Thread,  Mouthroot. 

Synonyms — Helleborus  trifolius  Linujeus,  &ic. 
Fibra  aiirea  Golden  and  Schoepf.  Anemone  groel- 
and'ica  Oeder.     Chryza  fibraurea  Raf. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Salis- 
bury, Schoepf,  Pallas,  Oeder,  Thacher,  Coxe,  B. 
Barton,  Bigelovv,  M.  B.  fig.  5,  &  Sequel,  W.  Bart 
V.  xM.  M.  fig  34. 


Genus  Coptis — Calix  corolliform  and  caducous, 
with  five  or  six  leaves.  Corolla  with  five  or  six  nec- 
tariform  cucullate  petals.  Many  hypogynous  stamina. 
Pistils  five  to  eight,  stipitate,  germs  oblong,  styles  re- 
curved. Capsuls  as  many,  stipitate,  oblong,  beaked, 
one  celled,  many  seeded,  dehiscent  longitudinally. 

Species  C.  trifolia — Roots  filiform,  creeping ; 
leaves  sub-radical,  ternate  ;  folioles  sessile,  rounded, 
crenate;  scapes  one  flowered. 

DESCRIPTION— Roots  perennial,  creeping,  fili- 
form, of  a  bright  yellow,  with  many  small  fibres — 
Caudex  or  base  of  the  scapes  and  radical  leaves,  cover- 


128  COPTIS.  No.  27. 

ed  with  imbricate  scales,  ovate  acuminate  and  yellow- 
ish— Leaves  evergreen,  on  long  slender  petioles,  pro- 
ceeding from  the  caudex,  with  ternate  folioles,  ses- 
sile, rounded  or  obovate,  base  acute,  margin  with 
unequal  acuminate  crenatures  and  lobes,  surface 
smooth,  firm  and  veined.  Scapes  as  long  as  the  leaves, 
slender  filiform,  with  one  flower  and  a  minute  mucro- 
nate  bract  under  it.' 

Flowers  about  half  an  inch  wide,  with  a  white  co- 
rolliform  calix  of  five,  six  or  seven  sepals  or  folioles, 
oblong,  obtuse,  concave.  Petals  as  many,  shorter, 
nectariform,  obovate,  hollow,  yellow  at  the  top.  Sta- 
mina man}i,  filaments  slender  and  white,  anthers 
rounded,  adnate  and  yellow.  Pistils  from  five  to  eight, 
stipitate  germs  shorter  than  the  gyriophore  or  base, 
oblong,  acute,  compressed.  Styles  short  and  curved, 
stigmas  acute.  Capsules  like  the  pistils  naked,  the  ca- 
lix having  fallen  ofi*,  umbellate,  on  long  divaricate  pe- 
dicels, oblong  rostrate,  unilocular,  dehiscent  on  the 
inner  side,  and  many  seeds  attached  to  the  other 
side. 

HISTORY — This  plant  was  erroneously  united  to 
Helleborus  by  Linnaeus.  I  proposed  to  call  it  Ckry- 
za,  in  1808  :  it  was  since  called  Coptis  by  Salisbury; 
although  my  name  is  anterior  and  more  descriptive, 
and  Fibraurea  of  Golden  would  have  been  good  also, 
I  am  so  little  tenacious  as  to  admit  the  Coptis  which 
has  already  been  adopted  by  many.  The  principal 
distinctions  are  found  in  the  stipitate  pistils  and  cap- 
sules, besides  petals  not  bilabiate.  My  new  genus 
Enemion  biter7iatum,  difiers  from  Coptis  by  w^ant  of 


No.  27,  dOPTXS.  i2d 

petals,  and  two  seeded  capsuls.  Many  botanists  call 
the  petals  of  this  plant  nectaries,  and  the  calix  corol- 
la, thus  saying  that  they  have  no  calyx  :  but  the  na- 
tural affinities  teach  that  wherever  the  perigone  is  dou- 
ble, the  inner  range  is  the  corolla,  whatever  be  its 
form. 

Both  Coptis  and  Helleborus  belong  to  Poltandria 
polygynia  of  Linnaeus,  and  to  the  Ranunculaceoits 
tribe,  or  natural  order  Adnantheria,  section  with 
irregular  petals,  and  dehiscent  fruits.  This  plant  blos- 
soms early  in  the  spring  of  the  cold  regions  or  in  May. 

The  roots  are  the  only  parts  used  ;  they  are  of  a 
fine  golden  color,  whence  the  name.  They  ought  to 
be  collected  in  the  summer,  and  are  easily  dried  ;  but 
not  easily  reduced  to  powder.  The  plant  itself  is  a 
pretty  evergreen,  having  the  appearance  of  the  straw- 
berry plant. 

Locality — A  boreal  plant  found  from  Canada  to 
Greenland  and  Iceland  on  the  east,  and  to  Siberia  on 
the  west.  The  most  southern  limits  are  New  En- 
gland, New  York,  and  the  shores  of  Lake  Erie.  It 
is  commonly  found  in  mossy  swamps  and  bogs  of 
evergreen  woods ;  but  also  on  the  rocks  of  the  White 
Mountains,  Labrador,  Newfoundland,  &c. 

Qualities — A  pure  intense  bitter,  without  smell, 
nor  astringency,  consisting  of  extractive  matter  and 
a  bitter  principle,  soluble  in  water  and  alcohol :  the 
tincture  is  yellow. 

PROPERTIES— Tonic  and  stomachic,  promoting 
digestion,  strengthening  the  viscera,  useful  in  dyspep- 
sia, debility,  convalescence  from  fevers,  and  whenever 


130  C0PT2S.  No.  27. 

rr  ■    ■-.'  .-      ■      .  ...  -  ■  -- — ■- 

a  pure  bitter  is  required  ;  being  a  good  substitute  for 
Quassia,  Columbo,  Gentian,  &c.  A  tincture  made 
with  an  ounce  of  the  roots  in  a  pound  of  diluted  alco- 
hol, is  recommended  in  doses  of  a  tea  spoonful  thrice 
a  day,  or  ten  to  twenty  grains  of  the  powder :  both 
agree  with  the  stomach. 

It  has  been  used  for  ulceration  of  the  mouth,  in  gar- 
gle, &c.  but  Bigelow  pretends  that  it  is  inert  in  that 
case,  being  devoid  of  astringency  ;  and  to  other  arti- 
cles added  to  it,  are  to  be  ascribed  the  benefit  it  may 
have  afforded. 

Substitutes — Quassia — Columbo — Menyanthts 
irifoliata — Frasera  verticillata — Aletrh  farinosa" 
Sabbatia  angularis,  and  other  pure  bitters. 


No.   28. 

CORNUS   FLORIDA. 


'-^m^'J2 


fl#*^sP^ 


k 


COTCDMOir  DOGWOOD. 


No  .28,  COBNUS.  131 

No.  28. 

CORNUS    FLORIDA. 

English  Name— COMMON  DOGWOOD. 

French   Name — Cornouiller  fleuri. 

German  Name — Schonbluhender  Hartriegel» 

Officinal  Name — Cornus  florida. 

Vulgar  Names — Dogwood,  Dogtree,  Boxtree, 
Florid  Cornel,  Monhacaniminschi,  &c. 

AuTHORiTii-s — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Schoepf,  Cates- 
by,  Thacher,  Coxe,  Carpenter,  Elliot,  B.  Barton,  Big. 
fig.  28,  and  Seq.  W.  Bart.  fig.  3,  &c. 


Genus  Cornus — Calix  symphogyne,  four  toothed. 
Petals  four,  small  and  broad.  Stamina  four,  epigyne 
alternating  with  petals.  One  style  and  stigma.  Fruit 
a  drupe  inclosing  a  bilocular  two  seeded  nut. 

Species  C.  Florida — Asborescent  ;  leaves  oppo- 
site, ovate,  acuminate,  base  acute,  glaucous  beneath  ; 
Involucres  corolliform,  nearly  obcordate  ;  drupes 
ovate  and  scarlet. 

DESCRIPTION— Stem  rising  from  fifteen  to  thir- 
ty feet,  with  a  rough  blackish  bark  full  of  fissures : 
branches  opposite,  spreading,  with  reddish  bark  and 
rings  where  the  old  leaves  grew. — Leaves  opposite, 
petiolate,  oval,  entire,  base  acute,  end  acuminate,  pale 
beneath,  with  strong  parallel  veins. 


133         ^^         coRinrg.  No.  2s, 

Flowers  terminal,  appearing  when  the  leaves  are 
young,  with  a  large  four  leaved  involucre  three  in- 
ches broad,  commonly  mistaken  for  the  blossom, 
white,  obcordate,  veined.  The  true  flowers  are  in  the 
centre,  small,  crowded,  sessile,  yellowish.  Calix  cam 
panulate,  symplrogyne,  with  four  obtuse  teeth.  Co- 
rolla with  four  oblong,  obtuse  petals.  Stamina  four 
erect,  anthers  oblong,  style  short,  erect,  stigma  ob- 
tuse. Fruits  several  oval  scarlet  drupes,  with  a  nut 
inside  having  two  cells  and  two  seeds. 

HISTORY — The  genus  Cornw^  or  Cornel,  must  be 
divided  into  two  sections,  those  species  having  the 
flowers  copitate,  sessile,  and  with  an  involucre,  are 
the  true  Dogwoods,  (Cynoa^y /on),  and  those  with  cym- 
ose,  naked  flowers,  are  the  true  Cornels.  It  belongs 
with  Hedera  to  the  natural  family  of  Hederaces,  and 
to  Tetrandria  monogynia  of  Linnaeus.  Cornns  is 
the  ancient  latin  name  of  the  Cornels,  ^w(\  florida  im- 
plies that  the  blossoms  are  more  conspicuous  than  in 
any  other  species. 

The  C.  Jlorida  is  a  handsome  tree,  enlivening  the 
woods  in  the  spring  by  a  profusion  of  large  white 
blossoms,  and  bearing  in  the  fall  clusters  of  beautiful 
scarlet  berries.  In  Louisiana,  where  it  is  called  Bois 
bouton,  or  Bois  de  fleche,  (Budwood  and  Arrow- 
wood)  it  blossoms  in  February  ;  in  the  middle  states 
in  April  and  May,  and  more  northwardly  in  June.  It 
lasts  a  fortnight  in  full  bloom,  and  every  where  indi- 
cates according  to  the  Indians,  when  Indian  corn  is  to 
be  planted. 


No.  28.  CORNUS. 


This  tree  grows  very  slow,  and  the  wood  is  hard, 
compact,  heavy  and  durable  ;  it  is  white  outside,  and 
chocolate  color  in  the  centre,  taking  a  very  fine  polish. 
It  may  be  used  like  Boxwood,  and  when  stained  of  a 
light  yellow  color,  resembles  it  altogether.  All  kinds 
of  tools  and  instruments  are  made  with  it,  also  cogs 
of  wheels,  teeth  of  harrows,  spoons,  &c. 

Locality — All  over  the  United  Htates,  and  almost 
in  every  soil,  from  INIassachusetls  to  Louisiana,  and 
from  Florida  to  Missouri.  Most  abundant  in  swampy 
and  moist  woods. 

Qualities— The  bark  of  the  root,  stem  and  branches 
is  bitter,  astringent  and  slightly  aromatic.  Ily  analysis 
it  has  been  found  to  contain  in  different  proportion 
the  same  substances  as  Cinchona,  having  more  of  Gum 
mucilage,  extractive  and  Gallic  acid,  and  less  of  Re- 
sin, Quinine,  and  Tannin.  The  Quinine  of  the  Cor- 
nus  has  been  called  Cornine,  it  has  all  the  properties 
of  the  genuine  Sulphate  of  Quinine,  but  very  little  is 
afforded.  The  double  distilled  water  o£  Cornus  is  le- 
mon color,  that  o^  Cinchona  is  reddish. 

The  extract  of  Corniis  is  less  bitter  and  more  as- 
tringent than  that  of  the  best  Cinchona,  but  prefera- 
ble to  the  extract  of  the  inferior  kinds. 

This  extract  contains  all  the  tonic  properties,  the 
resin  alone  is  merely  stimulant.  The  bark  of  the  root 
is  the  strongest ;  it  is  more  soluble  in  water  than  Cin- 
chona, The  fresh  bark  frequently  disagrees  with  the 
stomach,  and  is  improved  by  keeping  at  least  one  year. 

PROPERTIES — Tonic,  astringent,  antiseptic,  co- 
roboiant  and  stimulant.     It  is  one  of  l|;ie  best  native 

M 


13-1:  CORKUS.  No.  28. 

substitutes  for  Cinchona,  although  evidently  different 
in  some  respects  ;  the  powdered  bark  quickens  the 
pulse,  and  sometimes  produces  pains  in  the  bowels  ; 
but  the  Sulphate  of  Cornine  and  the  extract  are  not  so 
stimulant.  They  are  used  in  intermittent  and  remit- 
tent fevers  also,  typhus  and  all  febrile  disorders.  The 
doses  of  the  powder  are  from  twenty-five  to  thirty- 
five  grains,  often  repeated.  The  Cornine  like  Quinine. 

In  cases  of  debility  it  acts  as  a  corroborant ;  it  may 
be  joined  in  practice  with  Gentian,  Colombo,  Camo- 
mile, Liriodendron,  Seneca  root,  &c.  It  is  often  used 
in  decoction  in  the  country,  and  even  the  twigs  are 
chewed  as  a  prophylactic  against  fevers.  Drunkards 
use  a  tincture  of  the  berries  as  a  bitter  for  the  same 
purpose  and  for  indigestion. 

The  flowers  have  the  same  properties,  and  are 
chiefly  used  by  the  Indians,  in  warm  infusion  for 
fevers  and  cholics.  All  these  preparations  have  a 
more  agreeable  bitterness  than  the  Peruvian  bark. 

It  is  said  that  the  twigs  rubbed  or  chewed,  clean  and 
keep  sound  the  gums  and  teeth.  A  decoction  of  the 
bark  is  used  to  cuie  the  distemper  of  horses  called  the 
yellow  water.  Joined  with  sassafras  it  is  employed 
in  strong  warm  decoction  to  clean  foul  ulcers  and  can- 
cers. Lastly,  a  kind  of  black  ink  can  be  made  with  the 
bark,  in  the  usual  way,  instead  of  galls. 

Substitutes — Cinchojia — Liriodendron Mas:- 

nolia  sp — Pinckneya — Cephalanthus,  and  most  of 
the  astringent  tonics,  besides  several  species  of  the 
same  genus. 

Remarks — Almost  all  the  species  of  this  genus  have 
more  or  less   the   same  tonic  properties,  and  may  be 


No.  28.  coaNus.  1S5 

substituted   to  the    C.  florida.      Three    of  the  best 
known  as  ntost  efficient  will  be  mentioned  here. 

1.  Cornxis  Sericea  or  Blueberry  Cornel,  vii]2;arlv 
called  Swamp  Dogwood  or  Rose  Willow,  is  a  shrub 
from  six  to  twelve  feet  high,  growing  from  Canadii 
to  Virginia,  near  swamps  and  streams.  There  is  a 
figure  of  it  in  W.  Barton,  iig.  9.  The  leaves  are  like 
those  of  C.  florida,  and  silky  beneath,  but  the  flowers 
are  very  different,  in  large  terminal  cymes,  without 
involucrum,  yellowish  white,  and  succeeded  by  large 
clusters  of  small  round  blue  berries. — The  bark  is  less 
bitter,  more  astringent  and  pleasant  to  the  taste  than 
in  C.  florida. 

2.  C.  circinnata  or  Round  leaved  Cornel,  also 
called  Alder  Dogwood,  is  a  shrub  with  warty  twigs, 
large  rounded  leaves^  woolly  beneath  :  the  fiovs^ers 
are  in  cymes,  without  involucrum.  It  grows  from 
Canada  to  Pennsylvania. — Prof.  E  Ives  of  New  Ha- 
ven, and  Dr.  A.  Ives  of  New  York,  extol  this  kind, 
they  say  it  resembles  the  pale  Peruvian  Bark,  Ciu' 
chona  lancifolia  :  an  ounce  of  the  bark  yields  by  boil- 
ing 150  grains,  of  an  astringent  and  intensely  bitter 
extract.  In  use  it  is  found  preferable  to  Colombo  and 
Cinchona  cordifolia,  it  is  much  employed  in  the 
Northern  States,  in  substance  and  otherwise,  for 
diarrhoea,  dyspepsia;  but  is  too  heating  in  fevers. 

3.  C  alba  or  Wax-berry  Cornel,  is  also,  a  shrub, 
growing  from  New  England  to  Siberia  in  Asia,  with 
broad  ovate  leaves,  white  beneath,  flowers  in  cymes, 
berries  round,  white  like  wax. — All  these  blossom 
from  May  to  June:  many  birds  are  fond  of  their  ber- 
ries   and  the  beavers  eat  their  bark. 


136  CUNILA.  No.  29. 

No.  29. 

CUNILA  MARIANA. 

ExGLisH  Name— AMERICAN   DITTANY. 

French    Name — Cr2siLE  d'amekique. 

Gekman  Name — Amekicanisciie  cunile. 

Officinal  Name — Cunila  herba. 

Vulgar  Names — Mountain  Dittany,  Stone  Mint, 
Wild  Easily  Sweet  Horsemint,  &.c. 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Schoepf,  Mich.  Pursh, 
Elliot,  Torrey,  Stokes,  W.  Barton,  fi*.  42,  &c. 


Genus  Cunila — Calix  tubular,  striated  with  five 
subequal  teeth.  Corolla  tubular,  ringent,  upper  lip 
erect  flat  emarginate,  lower  lip  three  parted.  Two 
exerted  fertile  stamina,  two  sterile  stam.  very  short. 
Gerinen  four  lobed,  style  exerted,  stigma  lateral. 
Four  seeds  within  the  calix  closed  by  hairs. 

Species  C.  Mariana — Smooth,  stems  slender  and 
branched;  leaves  opposite,  sessile,  punctate,  ovate,  re- 
mote, serrate;  flowers  in  terminal  fasciculate  corymbs. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  fibrous,  yel- 
\o\y. — Stem  about  a  foot  high,  smooth,  yellowish 
or  purplish;  slender,  hard  brittle,  with  many  brachi- 
ate  remote  branches. — Leaves  remote,  sessile,  smooth, 
dotted,  pale  green,  glaucous  beneath,  base  subser- 
date,  end  acuminate  or  sharp,  margin  with  small 
remote  acute  teeth,  nerves  regular,  texture  dry. 

Flov.'crs  ^jH'JaU  but  handsome,  of  a  pink  or  white 


No.  29. 

CUNILA  MARIANA 


^ 


ikMfiRICAAT  DITTANT. 


No.  29.  cxyNii.A.  137 

color,  forming  terminal  clusters  or  corymbs,  by  tho- 
union  of  several  branched  fascicles  of  three  to  seven 
flowers,  with  very  small  short  oblong  bracteoles. 
Each  flower  peduncled  and  naked,  calix  green  nearly 
cylindrical  with  ten  furrows,  and  five  small  sharp 
teeth  nearly  equal.  Corolla  twice  as  long  as  the 
calix,  nearly  cylindric,  with  two  short  lips,  lower 
lip  larger  with  three  rounded  lobes,  upper  lip  smaller, 
flat  and  notched.'  Four  stamina,  two  of  which  are 
long,  slender  and  protruding  with  the  style,  bearing 
small  didymous  anthers;  two  small,  very  short,  without 
anthers. — Fruit  formed  by  four  small  obovate  seeds  at 
the  bottom  of  the  persistent  calix,  mouth  of  it  closed 
by  hairs. 

HISTORY — This  genus  belongs  to  the  great  na- 
tural order  of  Labiate,  section  with  two  fertile 
filaments,  next  to  the  genera  Lycopv.s,  Collinsonia 
and  Hedeoma.  It  ranks  with  them  in  Diandria 
inojiogynia  of  Linnceus.  It  contains  now  only  Was 
species,  which  has  been  called  markina  because  first 
sent  to  Europe  from  ^Maryland.  Linnaius  had 
united  it  to  Satiircja  at  first,  and  called  it  S.  ori- 
ganoides.  When  he  made  a  new  genus  of  it,  he 
united  with  it  the  C.  pulegioides,  which  is  now 
Hedeoma  piihgioides :  these  are  examples  of  the 
botanical  vacillations  and  errors,  to  which  great 
writers  are  liable  when  they  wish  to  improve  the 
science,  and  are  not  ashamed  of  correcting  them- 
selves. 

The   C.  mariana  is  a   pretty  plant,  with  a   very- 
fragrant  smell,  similar  to  Marjoran  and  Dittany.     It 

M  2 


138  CUNX1.A.  No.  29. 

is  commonly  called  by  this  last  name  throughout  the 
United  States  ;  but  is  very  different  from  the  Dit- 
tany of  the  gardens,  which  is  the  Dictamniis 
fraxinelluy  and  the  other  Dittanies  of  Europe,  Ori- 
ganiiin  diciarnnus,  Marriibium  pseudodictamnus, 
&c.  Our  Dittany  is  peculiar  to  America,  and  distin- 
guished by  its  corymbose  flowers,  which  blossom  in 
summer  from  July  to  September. 

Locality — All  over  the  mountains  and  dry  hills 
from  New  England  to  Kentucky  and  Carolina,  com- 
mon among  rocks  and  sides  of  hills,  unknown  in  tlie 
plains  and  alluvions. 

Qualities— The  whole  plant  has  a  warm  fragrant 
aromatic  pungent  taste  and  smell,  residing  in  an  es- 
sential oil,  which  can  easily  be  extracted  by  distilla- 
tion, and  approximates  to  the  oil  of  Origanum,  but 
is  more  balsamic.  It  is  the  most  fragrant  of  all  the 
native  labiate  plants,  and  the  essential  oil  has  a  very 
strong  balsamic  fragrance. 

PROPERTIES — Stimulant,  nervine,  sudorific, 
sublonicj  vulnerary,  cephalic,  &:c.  The  whole  plant 
is  used,  and  usually  taken  in  warm  infusion  :  Dit- 
tany tea  is  a  popular  remedy  throughout  tie  Country 
for  colds,  headaches,  and  whenever  it  is  requisite  to 
excite  a  gentle  perspiration.  It  partakes  of  the  pro- 
perties of  ail  the  grateful  aromatic  labiate  j)lants,  and 
also  of  Camomile,  Sntkemis  Colula,  and  the  Eypa- 
torium  perfotiatiini  :  while  it  affords  a  more  palata- 
ble drink.  Its  fragrant  tea  is  preferable  to  that  of 
Sage  and  Monarda,  it  has  neither  the  pungency  of 
Miiit,    nor   the    nauseous  sraell   of  Pennyroyal   or 


No.  29.  CUNILA.  139 

Hedeoma.  Solidago  Odora  conies'  nearest  to  this, 
by  its  fragrance  ;  but  is  weaker  and  not  so  grateful. 
It  relieves  nervous  headaches  and  hysterical  disor- 
ders. It  is  used  in  Carolina,  Kentucky,  &:c.  in  fevers 
to  excite  perspiration,  and  suppressed  menstruations, 
&c.  It  is  a  useful  drink  in  nervous  diseases,  cholics 
and  indigestion.  Externally  it  is  employed  like  CoU 
Unsonia  for  bruises,  sprains,  &c.  but  is  not  so  effi- 
cient. According  to  Schoepf,  it  was  one  of  the  plants 
resorted  to  for  curing  the  bites  of  snakes  ;  the  juice 
was  mixed  with  milk  for  this  purpose.  There  are 
fifty  plants  in  the  United  States,  employed  occasion- 
ally as  an  antidote  for  this  purpose,  which  merely  act 
as  sudorifics  The  essential  oil  possesses  all  the  pro- 
perties of  the  plant,  and  a  few  drops  of  it  are  sufficient 
to  impart  them  to  mixtures. 

Substitutes — Besides  the  plants  mentioned  above, 
all  the  mild  sudorifics,  and  Eryngium  ijucefulium, 
Yarrow,  Tansey,   Snakeroots^   hnda  heknium,  &c. 


140  CrPRIPEDIUM.  No.  3Q, 


No.  30. 

CYPRIPEDIUM  LUTEUM. 

English  Name- — Yellow  Ladies'  Slipper.. 

French  Name — Sabot  de  venus  jaune. 

German  Name — Gelb  Frauenschuh. 

Officinal  Name — Cypripedium  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Mocasin  flower,  Yellows, 
Bleeding  heart,  American  Valerian,  Yellow  Umbil^ 
Male  Mervine,  Noah's  Ark,  &c. 

Synonyms — Cypripedium  Calceolus  Var.  b.  Lin. 
■ — Cijpr.  luteum  Aiton — C  flavescens  Redoute — C. 
pubescens  and  C.  parvijlorum  Wildenow,  Salisbury, 
Persoon,Pursh,  Elliot,  Torrey^  Eaton,  W.  Barton,&c. 

Authorities — Wildenow,  Aiton,  Pursh,  Elliot;> 
W.  Bart,  flora  fig.  74,  &c. 


Genus  Cypripedium — Perigone  symphog3^ne  con- 
crete with  the  germen  at  the  base,  with  five  unequal 
sepals  or  divisions,  superior  and  often  colored  ;  the 
innermost  or  labellum  larger,  different,  ventricose, 
split.  Central  pillar  or  gonophore  bearing  two  Anthers 
and  a  terminal  lobe. 

Species  C.  Luteum — Stem  leafy,  leaves  broad, 
often  acute  and  pubescent ;  fiowers  with  the  labellum 
shorter  than  the  other  sepals,  saccate  and  compressed, 
two  inner  sepals  linear  spiral  and  very  long,  terminal 
central  lobe  deltoid  nearly  obtuse. 

DESCRIPTION — Roots  perennial  with  many  long, 
thick,  fleshy  cylindrical  an^  flexuose  fibres^  of  a  pale 


No    30. 

CYPRIPEDIUM   LUTEUM. 


TEX&OW  XiADXES'  SUPFSIL. 


No.  30.  CYPE-IPEDIUM.  141 


yellowish  castj  diverging  horizontally  from  the  cau- 
tlex. — Stems  one  to  five  from  the  same  caudex,  sim- 
ple, erect,  often  pubescent  and  angular,  rising  one  or 
two  feet,  three  to  seven  leaves,  and  one  to  three 
flowers.  Leaves  alternate,  sessile,  sheathing,  ovate  or 
oblong,  acute  pubescent  or  smooth,  but  always  entire 
and  with  many  parallel  nerves,  green  above,  paler  be- 
neath. 

Flowers  sessile,  when  more  than  one,  each  has  a 
bracteal  leaf.  Germen  concrete  or  inferior,  green, 
cylindrical,  often  curved.  Perigone  with  five  unequal 
and  different  sepals,  called  petals  by  the  Linnean  Bo- 
tanists :  two  are  external  oblong  or  lanceolate,  acute, 
longer  than  the  labellum  and  green  :  two  are  internal 
longer,  narrower,  spirally  contorted  and  green  :  the 
fifth  or  innermost  and  lower,  called  Labellum,  is  to- 
tally ditferent  from  the  others,  shorter  but  larger, 
yellow  with  or  without  red  spots,  hollow  like  a  bag, 
convex  beneath,  rounded  in  front,  split  above  with 
inflexed  margins.  Style  and  stamina  concrete  in 
the  centre,  above  the  germen,  fonning  a  central  pil- 
lar, flattened  above  into  an  oblong  deltoid  lobe,  sup- 
posed to  be  the  stigma  by  some  Botanists,  and  bear- 
ing before  two  anthers,  lodged  in  separate  cells. — The 
fruit  is  an  oblong  capsul,  with  one  cell,  three  valves, 
and  a  multitude  of  minute  seeds,  as  in  all  the  Orchi- 
deous  tribe. 

HISTORY — The  natural  order  of  the  Orchideofs 
to  which  this  plant  belongs,  is  a  very  striking  and 
peculiar  tribe  of  Monocotyle  vegetables,  which  even 
Linnceus   considered  as  natural,  and  put  in  his  class 


IJjS  CTPMPEBXUM.  No.  S(>, 

Gynandria  and  order  Diandria,  although  most  of 
them  are  truly  monandrous.  He  called  their  peri- 
gone,  a  corolla,  because  often  colored,  and  deemed 
the  labellum  a  nectary,  while  it  is  evidently  a  part 
of  the  perigone  or  sexual  covering.  The  generic 
name  of  Cypripedhim,  means  Venus'  Slioe  ;  it  is  a 
splendid  genus  containing  several  beautiful  American 
and  Asiatic  species.  Many  Botanists  have  made  two 
species,  C,  pubescens  and  C.  parvijloriim  of  this,  to 
which  the  previous  and  better  name  of  C  lufeum 
ought  to  be  restored.  I  have  ascertained  that  they 
form  only  one  species^  affording  many  varieties,  some 
of  which  are 

1.  C,  L.  Var.  pubescens,  entirely  pubescent  even 
the  flowers. 

2.  C.  L.  Var.  glabriim,  nearly  smooth. 

3.  C.  L.  Var.  grandijiorum,  slightly  pubescent, 
labellum  very  large. 

4.  C.  L.  Var. /?(3rz;iy7orw7?2,  slightly  pubescent,  la- 
bellum small. 

\  5.  C.  L.  Var.  maculatum,  labellum  more  or  less 
spotted,  with  red  dots,  lobule  often  red. 

6.  C.  L.  Var.  bifloriim,  with  two  flowers  and 
bracteoles. 

7.  C,  L.  Var.  concolor,  the  whole  flower  yellow 
or  yellowish,  unspotted. 

8.  C.  L.  Var.  angusti folium,  leaves  and  brac- 
teoles lanceolate. 

A  multitude  of  intermediate  varieties  or  deviations 
may  be  seen,  with  undulate  or  spiral  sepals,  obtuse 
or  acute  lobule,  broader  or  narrower  leaves,  &Ck 


No.  }0.  CYPJllPEDIUM.  143 


This  plant  blossoms  in  May  and  June;  it  is  much 
valued  in  gardens  for  its  beauty  and  singularity,  but 
it  is  difficult  to  cultivate  :  it  will  seldom  grow  from 
seeds;  the  roots  must  be  taken  up  with  earth  round 
them,  and  transplanted  in  a  congenial  rich  light 
soil.  For  medical  use,  they  must  be  collected  in  the 
fall,  or  early  in  the  spring,  carefully  dried  and  re- 
duced to  powder. 

Locality — Found  all  over  the  United  States,  from 
New  England  to  Louisiana  ;  but  very  rare  in  some 
places,  while  it  is  common  in  the  hills  and  swamps 
of  New  York,  the  Highlands,  Green  and  Catskill 
Mountains,  and  also  in  the  glades  and  prairies  of  the 
Western  States. 

Qualities — The  roots  are  the  only  medical  parts: 
they  have  a  pungent,  mucilaginous  taste,  and  a  pe- 
culiar smell,  somewhat  nauseous.  They  contain  ex- 
tractive, gum,  fecula,  and  perhaps  a  small  portion  of 
essential  oil. 

PROPEilTIES— It  is  with  some  satisfaction  that 
I  am  enabled  to  introduce,  for  the  first  time,  this  beau- 
tiful genus  into  our  Materia  JMedica  :  all  the  species 
are  equally  medical ;  they  have  long  been  known  to 
the  Indians,  who  called  them  ISIocasin  flower,  and 
were  used  by  the  Empirics  of  New  England,  parti- 
cularly Samuel  Thompson.  Their  properties  how- 
ever have  been  tested  and  confirmed  by  Dr.  Hales  of 
Troy,  Dr.  TuUy  of  Albany,  &c.  The  most  efficient 
is  the  C.  hifeum,  next  C.  acaule,  and  last  C  spec- 
tabile  and  C.  candidum.  Neither  Schoepf  nor  any 
«ther  medical  writer  has  mentioned  them. 


144-  CYPRIPEBIUM,  No.  30. 

They  are  sedative,  nervine,  antispasmodic,  <S'C.  and 
the  best  American  substitute  for  Valerian  in  almost 
all  cases.  They  produce  beneficial  effects  in  all  nerv- 
ous diseases  and  hysterical  affections,  by  allaying 
pain,  quieting  the  nerves  and  promoting  sleep.  They 
are  also  used  in  hemicrania,  epilepsy,  tremors, 
nervous  fevers,  &c.  They  are  preferable  to  Opium 
in  many  cases,  having  no  baneful  nor  narcotic  effects. 
The  dose  is  a  tea  spoonful  of  the  powder,  diluted  in 
sugar  water,  or  any  other  convenient  form.  As  in 
Valerian,  the  nervine  power  is  increased  by  combina- 
tion with  mild  tonics.  The  powder  alone  has  been 
used  ;  but  an  extract  might  be  also  efficient,  unless 
the  active  principle  is  very  volatile. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  roots  of  all  the  tubercular 
Orchideous,  afford  the  officinal  Salep,  which  is  so 
highly  esteemed  in  Asia  as  aphrodisiac,  nutritive  and 
pectoral.  The  roots  of  many  species  of  Orchis  could 
afford  it  in  America.  The  Cyprijjedium  having 
long  fleshy  roots  appear  to  afford  a  different  kind  of 
substance,  by  their  efficiency  as  equivalents  to  Vale- 
rian and  Opium. 

Substitutes — All  the  species  of  this  fine  genus 
being  equally  nervine,  it  will  be  well  to  notice  them, 
so  as  to  be  easily  known. 

1.  C  acaide  or  Red  Ladies'  Slipper,  Dwarf  Umbil, 
&c. — Two  radical  leaves,  one  large  red  flower  on  a 
naked  stem.  Common  in  New  Jersey,  and  on  the 
alluvial  plains  of  the  Atlantic  States.  Best  substitute. 
Roots  smaller  and  brownish.  There  is  a  bad  figure  of 
it  in  W.  Barton's  Am.  Flora. 


No.  30.  CYPRIFEDZUM.  145 

2.  C.  spectabile,  or  Red  and  White  Ladies'  Slip- 
per, Female  Nervine,  &c. — Stem  leafy,  one  or  two 
flowers  white  and  rose  colored,  sepals  oval  and  short 
— Rare  from  New  York  to  Louisiana. 

3.  C,  candidum,  or  White  Ladies'  Slipper,  White 
Umbil,  &c. — Stem  leafy,  flower  white,  sepals  longer 
than  the  labellum — Rare  in  deep  woods,  Pennsylva- 
nia to  Ohio. 

The  other  succedanea  may  be  Valeriana  officinalis 
— Humulus  lupulus  or  hops — Ulmus  fulva — Arni* 
ca  Montana — Doronicum  sp. — Cunila  mariana — 
Inula  helenium,  &c. 

Remarks — The  Orchideous  plants  which  have 
long  roots  like  the  Cypripedium,  appear  to  have  dif- 
ferent properties  from  those  which  have  round  or 
oval  tubercles.    The  Goodyera  is  antiscrofulous. 

The  Genus  Cladorhiza  or  Corallorhiza,  which 
has  fleshy  branched  roots,  has  also  active  properties, 
&c.  The  Hahenaria  fimhriaia  has  anthelmintic  roots, 
and  theiy<z6  orbiculata  is  one  of  the  Heal-alls  or  com- 
mon Vulneraries. 

All  the  bulbs  of  our  tubercular  Orchideous  are 
more  or  less  like  Salep,  Aphrodisiac  and  Uterine. 
But  one  of  them  the  Aplectrum  hyemale,  (called 
formerly  Cymbidium  and  Corallorhiza  by  other 
Botanists,)  commonly  known  by  the  vulgar  name  of 
Adam  and  Eve,  furnishes  a  kind  of  Glue,  and  has  ac- 
tive properties.  A  species  of  the  same  genus  ^Bphc- 
trum  lutescens  which  grows  in  the  Western  States, 
is  said  to  be  a  powerful  Uterine,  employed  by  the  In- 
dian Women  to  procure  abortion. 

N 


1 16  DATURA.  No.  31 . 

No.  31. 

DATURA    STRAMONIUM. 

English  Name— COMMON  THORN  APPLE. 

French  Name — Stramoine  vulgaire. 

German  Name — Gemeine  Stechapfel. 

Officinal  Name — Stramonium. 

Vulgar  Names — Jamestownweed,  Jimson,  Stink- 
weed,  &c. 

Authorities — Linn,  and  all  botanical  writers, 
Schoepf,  Stoerck,  B.  Barton,  Marcet,  Hufeland, 
Woodville,  Fisher,  CuUen,  Murray,  Chapman,  Ar- 
cher, Thatcher,  Coxe,  A.  Ives,  Bigelow,  fig.  1.  &  Seq. 


Genus  Datura — Calix  tubular,  angular,  deciduous, 
five  toothed.  Corolla  funnel-shaped,  plaited,  five 
toothed:  stamina  five  equal.  Pistil  one,  style  fili- 
form, stigma  bilobe.  Capsule  four  celled,  four  valved, 
many  seeded. 

Species  D.  Stramonium — Stem  dichotome;  leaves 
alterne  oval,  sinuate-angular,  acute,  smooth :  flowers 
solitary,  capsuls  erect,  ovate,  thorny. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  annual,  white,  crooked. 
Stem  erect,  from  one  to  eight  feet  high,  branched 
by  forks  or  dichotome,  cylindrical,  often  hollow, 
smooth  or  pubescent.  Leaves  alternate  at  the  forks,  pe. 
tiolate,  oval  or  oval-oblong,  base  decurrent,  end  acute, 
margin  almost  angular  by  large  unequal  acute  teeth, 
sinuses  rounded,  and  irregular. — Flowers  axillary 
solitary,   on  short  peduncles,  erect,   or    sometimes 


No.  31. 

DATURA  STRAMONIUM 


'I 


V^ 


^^ 


COMMON  THORNAPP&S. 


No.  31.  DATURA.  147 

nodding,  large,  white  or  blueish.  Calix  monophylle, 
tubular,  with  five  angles  and  teeth,  deciduous,  but 
leaving  a  rinr  at  the  base.  Corolla  twice  as  long, 
monopetalous,  base  tubular,  subangular,  limb  with 
five  angles,  plaits  and  teeth,  these  last  are  acuminate. 
Stamina  five,  filaments  coherent  with  the  tube,  fili- 
fijrm,  equal,  anthers  oblong  erect.  Germen  central, 
free,  but  the  base  concrete  with  the  persistent  rim  of 
the  calix,  oval,  hairy ;  one  style  filiform,  as  long  as 
the  stamina,  one  stigma  bilobe  at  the  base  or  sub- 
reniform.  Fruit  a  large  fleshy  capsule,  ovate,  thorny, 
with  four  valves  opening  at  the  top,  inside  with  four 
cells.  Many  black  seeds  filling  each  cell,  and  at- 
tached to  a  central  receptacle  in  each  cell,  shape 
reniform. 

HISTORY — The  Genus  Datura  belongs  to  the 
LuRiDEs  of  Linnaeus  or  Solanea  of  Jussieu  ;  but 
ought  to  be  the  type  of  a  peculiar  family  Daturines, 
hardly  different  from  the  Convolvulides,  except  by 
having  equal  stamina.  It  is  one  of  the  numerous 
genera  of  the  linnean  Pentandria  monogynia. 

Some  obscurity  appear  to  exist  on  this  species  and 
several  others,  ovving  to  mistakes  of  the  best  botanists. 
Linnaeus  blended  the  Datura  tatula  of  Africa,  with  a 
variety  of  D,  Stramonium,  and  the  D.  metel  hardl}^ 
differs  from  both.  Individual  varieties  answering  to 
these  three  species,  are  found  in  the  United  States; 
but  they  have  all  the  same  properties,  as  well  as  the 
D.fastuosa  and  D./erox  of  the  East  Indies.  The 
following  varieties  are  common  with  us,  and  are 
linked  by  imperceptible  changes. 


448  DATURA.  No.  31, 

1.  Var.  Tatuloides.  Stem  purple  dotted  with 
green,  leaves  subtruncate  at  the  base,  flowers  purplish. 
This  is  the  Z>.  tatula  of  some  botanists,  but  not  the 
real  one  of  South  Africa  and  Asia. 

2.  Var.  Cordata.  Leaves  cordate  at  the  base, 
stem  green,  flowers  pale  bluish. 

3.  Var.  JJngustifolia.  Leaves  oblong-lanceolate, 
sinuate,  flowers  pale  bluish. 

4.  Var.  Physaloides,  Leaves  oblique  at  the  base, 
viscid,  flowers  white. 

5.  Var.  Meteloides.  Stem  viscid,  tall,  leaves  sub- 
cordate  pubescent  viscid,  flowers  white,  nodding. — 
This  is  the  D.  metel  of  some  Botanists,  but  not  the 
true  kind  of  Africa,  which  has  globose  capsuls,  and 
leaves  nearly  entire. 

6.  Var.  %/ilba.  Stem  green  without  dots,  flowers 
pure  white. 

This  plant  has  handsome  flowers,  sometimes  four 
inches  long,  with  leave*  from  three  to  seven  inches 
long,  of  a  lurid  aspect.  It  has  been  formerly  culti- 
vated for  its  beautiful  blossoms,  although  they  have  a 
lurid  smell.  Children  use  them  as  yet  for  garlands, 
by  forming  strings  of  the  flowers  within  each  other. 
Notwithstanding  its  noxious  qualities,  I  have  seen 
Cows,  Sheep  and  Goats  browze  on  the  leaves. 

It  blossoms  from  May  to  September,  in  the  Southern 
States,  and  in  the  Northern  from  July  to  October, 
bearing  yet  blossoms  when  the  seeds  of  the  first 
flowers  are  ripe.  It  is  killed  by  the  frost  with  us ; 
but  in  warmer  climates  becomes  a  half  biennial  plant. 

The  whole  plant  is  a  narcotic  poison,   producing 


No.  31.  DATURA.  I4.9 

many  strange  effects  on  the  human  system,  according 
to  the  doses  and  constitutions.  The  leaves  eaten 
boiled,  have  occasioned  delirium  and  intoxication  for 
many  days,  without  producing  death,  or  else  madness 
or  tetanus  and  death.  The  Antidotes  of  this  poison 
are  emetics,  vegetable  acids,  and  strong  coffee. 

The  vulgar  name  of  Jimson  is  a  corruption  from 
Jamestown  ;  as  it  is  said  to  have  spread  from  the 
town  of  that  name  in  Virginia. 

Locality — One  of  the  erratic  or  wandering  plants, 
common  to  all  the  parts  of  the  world,  and  spreading 
with  the  utmost  facility.  It  is  probably  a  native  of 
Persia  and  India;  but  has  spread  to  Europe,  Africa 
and  America.  It  was  once  thought  to  be  a  native  of 
North  America ;  but  it  has  spread  in  it  only  since  its 
colonization:  the  Indians  call  it  the  White  people's 
plant.  Its  migrations  and  colonies  might  be  traced 
from  Virginia,  and  New  England.  In  the  Western 
States  it  has  sprung  only  since  their  late  settlement, 
and  from  seeds  carried  there  as  a  pretty  garden  plant. 
It  is  now  become  a  noxious  weed,  infesting  the  fields, 
&c. ;  but  as  it  is  annual,  it  might  easily  be  destroyed 
by  pulling  it  before  seed  time.  It  is  commonly  met 
with  near  houses,  along  the  roads,  in  commons,  old 
fields,  &c.,  never  in  woods  nor  mountains,  and  is 
found  in  all  the  States;  also  in  Canada,  and  beyond 
Louisiana  to  Mexico,  and  even  to  Peru  in  South  Ame- 
rica. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  has  a  fetid,  lurid  and 
narcotic  smell,  causing  head  ache  and  stupor ;  it  has 
a  bitter  and  nauseous  taste.     It  contains  gum,  resin, 

N   2 


150  DATURA.  No.  31. 

carbonate  of  ammonia,  nitrate  of  potash,  malic  acid, 
and  a  peculiar  alkaline  principle  called  Daturin,  to 
which  most  of  its  activity  is  ascribed.  Daturin  cris- 
talizes  in  quadrangular  prisms,  and  is  only  soluble 
in  boiling  alcohol :  yet  the  plant  yields  its  properties 
to  Water  and  Alcohol,  because  the  Daturin  is  com- 
bined with  the  acid  and  forms  a  soluble  mallate  of 
Daturin. 

PROPERTIES— This  loathsome  weed  is  one  of 
those  bounties  of  nature  scattered  almost  every  where, 
and  possessing  energetic  medical  powers.  It  is  narcotic, 
phantastic,  antispasmodic,  anti-epileptic,  anodyne, 
sedative,  &c.  and  externally  refrigerant,  detergent, 
resolvent,  &c.  It  has  been  recommended  by  Physi- 
cians in  Asia,  Europe  and  America,  in  Epilepsy, 
rheumatic  pains,  tic  douleureux,  Gout  and  all  kinds  of 
pains,  Mania,  Convulsions,  Asthma,  Chorea,  Sciatica, 
&c.,  and  externally  for  burnings,  scaldings,  tumors, 
ulcers,  cancer  and  piles.  It  is  now  a  common  article 
of  Materia  Medica  every  where ;  but  it  fails  some- 
times and  requires  care  in  the  exhibition,  owing  to 
its  noxious  qualities  when  taken  internally  in  too 
great  quantity.  It  produces  then  Vertigo,  confusion 
of  mind,  dilatation  of  the  pupil,  loss  of  sight,  head 
ache,  tremors  of  the  limbs,  loss  of  motion,  dry  throat, 
nausea,  anxiety,  faintness,  delirium,  convulsions, 
lethargy  and  death.  Vinegar  neutralizes  the  Datu- 
rin, as  wtll  as  all  vegetable  acids ;  but  an  emetic  is 
always  serviceable  when  poisoned  by  narcotics. 

The  effects  of  this  narcotic  when  administered  in- 
ternally for  medical  purposes,  and  in  proper  doses,  is 


No.  SI.  DATURA.  151 

to  lessen  sensibility  and  pain,  to  cause  a  kind  of  ner- 
vous shock  attended  with  some  nausea,  a  feeling  of 
intoxication  and  suffocation,  to  have  little  influence 
on  the  pulse,  to  relax  the  bowels,  to  dilate  the  eyes, 
&c. ,  followed  by  a  sensation  of  ease  and  quiet,  which 
induces  sleep. 

It  has  been  too  much  extolled  by  some  writers ; 
but  the  results  of  the  numerous  cases  in  which  it  has 
been  given,  are  as  follows: — In  asthma,  it  is  only  a 
palliative,  useful  in  the  paroxysms,  but  useless  in  ple- 
thoric cases,  it  is  commonly  smoked  like  Tobacco, 
a  practice  likely  to  be  attended  with  some  danger, 
and  suitable  only  for  smokers.  In  Mania  it  is  of  little 
use  except  in  some  cases  difficult  to  be  ascertained ; 
but  in  Epilepsy  and  Convulsions  it  cures  the  periodi- 
cal fits,  while  it  avails  not  in  the  sudden  fits.  It  is 
highly  serviceable  in  Chronic  acute  diseases,  such  as 
Sciatica,  Syphilitic  pains,  disease  of  the  spine,  para- 
plegia, Cancer  of  the  breast,  uterine  pains,  rheuma- 
tism, &c.,  also  in  chorea  and  dysmenorhea,  strangury 
and  Calculus,  acting  in  all  those  cases  as  an  antispas- 
modic. In  tic  douleureux  it  has  only  afforded  relief 
in  some  cases,  and  has  required  repeated  doses,  but 
it  has  failed  in  others. 

Externally  it  is  a  safer  and  certain  remedy  for 
burns,  tumors,  gout,  ulcers,  inflammations  and  some 
cutaneous  eruptions.  The  leaves  or  their  ointment 
are  applied  to  the  parts,  they  promote  the  granulations 
or  cicatrization  of  the  worse  ulcers,  and  afibrd  speedy 
relief  in  piles  and  painful  hemorrhoidal  tumors.  Sur 
geons  use  them  topically  to  enlarge  the  pupil  of  the 


153  DATURA.  No.  31. 

eye  previous  to  the  operation  of  Cataract.  It  is  said 
that  the  leaves  applied  to  the  head,  produce  sleep 
and  dreams.  The  plant  may  be  gathered  for  use  at 
any  time ;  but  it  is  best  when  in  blossom.  All  the 
parts  of  the  plant  are  efficient  even  the  root;  but  the 
seeds  contain  more  Daturin,  and  are  preferable  in 
some  instances. 

Many  preparations  are  made  for  internal  use;  but 
the  distilled  water  is  nearly  inert.  The  powdered 
leaves,  juice,  extract,  decoction,  tincture,  &c.  are  all 
available ;  for  external  use  an  ointment  is  made  by 
simmering  one  pound  of  fresh  leaves  in  three  pounds 
of  lafd.  The  doses  for  internal  use  are  to  be  very 
small.  Dr.  Bigelow  recommends  the  following:  one 
grain  of  dry  powdered  leaves  or  extract,  half  a  grain 
of  powdered  seeds,  one  quarter  of  a  grain  of  extract 
from  the  seeds,  and  from  15  to  20  drops  of  the  tinc- 
ture. Marcet  and  others  say  that_even  one-eighth  of 
a  grain  is  a  sufficient  dose  to  begin  with.  One  pound 
of  seeds  afford  two  ounces  of  extract,  and  one  pound 
of  leaves  three  ounces. 

Substitutes — Hyosciamiis  n'lger — Conium  ma- 
culaium — Lactuca  elongata — Solanum  Virgini- 
cum  and  S.  dulcamara — Cypripedium  Sp — Opium 
and  other  active  narcotics  or  sedatives. 


No.  32. 

DIOSPYROS   VIRGINIANA 


PXnElSIMOlir  TREE. 


No.  32.  DZOSPYROS.  153 

No.  32. 

DIOSPYROS  yiRGINIANA. 

English  Name— PERSIMON  TREE. 

French  Name — Plaqueminier. 

German  Name — Persimon  Baum. 

Officinal  Name — Diospyros. 

Vulgar  Names — Persimons,  Yellow  Plums,  Win- 
ter Plums,  Guaiacan,  Seeded  Plums,  Pishmin,  &c. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Fl.  and  Sylva,  Pursh, 
Eaton,  Torrey,  Elliott,  Schoepf,  Kalm,  Catesby, 
Woodhouse,  Coxe,  Brickell,  ZoUickoffer,  &c. 


Genus  Diospyros — Diclinous,  Calix  4  to  8  cleft. 
Corolla  rotate  or  urceolate  4  to  8  cleft.  Staminate 
flowers  with  8  to  20  Stam.  filaments  free  with  one  or 
two  anthers.  Pistilate  flowers  with  one  Pistil,  a 
short  style  and  4  to  6  stigmas.  Berry  with  8  to  12 
seeds. — Trees  with  alternate  leaves. 

Species  D.  Virginiana — Leaves  ovate  oblong,  acu- 
minate, entire,  smooth,  pale  and  reticulate  beneath, 
petiolate,  petiols  pubescent;  Berries  solitary  globose. 

DESCRIPTION— The  Persimon  is  a  common 
tree  rising  from  15  to  60  feet,  with  a  smooth  bark, 
and  spreading  branches.  The  leaves  are  from  three 
to  five  inches  long,  shining  above,  whitish  or  pale 
and  reticulate  beneath,  oval  or  oblong,  base  acute, 
end  or  tip  acuminate,  margin  entire,  on  short  alter- 
nate and  pubescent  petioles.     These  leaves  vary  in 


154  DX0SP7R0S.  No.  32. 

■■  '  "  '  ■       .       — 

size,  and  some  varieties  have  them  glaucous  or  pu- 
bescent beneath.     Buds  smooth. 

Flowers  lateral,  extra  axillary,  solitary,  nearly 
sessile  or  on  a  short  pedicel.  Calix  spreading  persis- 
tent, commonly  4  cleft,  seldom  5  or  6  cleft,  seg- 
ments oval  acute  shorter  than  the  Corolla,  v^^hich  is 
yellowish,  with  as  many  segments  as  the  calix,  broad 
ovate,  acute.  Diclinous  blossoms  on  separate  trees 
or  dioical,  sometimes  a  complete  flower  occurs,  in 
which  are  as  many  stigmas  as  segments  to  the  Calix, 
and  double  the  number  of  Stamina.  The  filaments 
are  short,  free  or  inserted  on  the  calix  instead  of  the 
corolla,  depressed,  anthers  bilobe.  One  Pistil,  ger- 
men  round,  style  very  short,  stigmas  obtuse,  spread- 
ing.—-Fruit  a  globular  yellow  berry,  similar  to  a 
plum,  with  a  thin  skin,  fleshy  pulp  and  many  com- 
pressed hard  seeds. 

HISTORY — This  genus  amply  evinces  the  ab- 
surdity of  the  Linnean  system,  since  hardly  two  spe- 
cies of  it  have  the  same  number  of  stamina.  Linnaeus 
put  it  in  his  class  Polygamia  ;  it  is  now  put  in  Dioe- 
da  octandriay  although  many  species  have  10  or  12 
or  16  or  20  Stamina,  and  2,  3,  4,  5  or  6  Styles  or 
Stigmas.  It  however  belongs  to  a  very  natural  family 
the  Ebenaceous.  The  whole  genus  appears  to  need 
reform,  and  ought  to  be  divided  in  many  Sub  Genera 
or  Genera,  such  as 

Diospyros  to  which  Z>.  Lotus,  Virginiana,  &c. 
belong. 

Embriopteris  (Gaertner)  20  stam.  One  cruciate 
stigma. 


No.  32.  DIOSPYKOS.  155 

Ebenum,  Cal.  5  Segm,  Stam.  10.  Berry  10  locular. 

DimiayVfiih  2  or  3  Styles,  typ^  D,  digyna, 

Chloroxylon,  type  D.  ditto. 

Gonopyros,  Cal.  and  Cor.  5  fid.  Berry  angular  or 
lobed. 

The  D.  Virginiana  is  by  no  means  a  definite  spe- 
cies. Pursh  and  Michaux,  jun.  have  noticed  that  two 
species  are  probably  blended  under  that  name :  to  one 
of  them  Pursh  gave  the  name  of  D.  pubescens,  I 
have  ascertained  three  principal  varieties  at  least,  (and 
there  are  more)  which  might  almost  be  deemed  spe 
cific ;  they  are 

1.  Var.  Macrocarpa,  Leaves  smaller,  glauceous 
beneath,  fruit  very  large — Southern  States. 

2.  Var.  Concolor,  Leaves  middle  size,  hardly  pale 
beneath,  somewhat  obtuse,  fruit  of  a  good.  size. 

S.  Var.  Microcarpa.  Leaves  large  acute,  pubescent 
beneath,  fruit  very  small. — Virginia,  &c.  This  is  the 
D,  pubescens  of  Pursh,  who  says  that  the  leaves  are 
tomentose  beneath,  petioles  longer,  &.c. 

The  blossoms  are  of  a  pale  yellow  or  orange  color, 
they  appear  in  May  and  June,  when  the  leaves  are 
yet  small  and  not  quite  unfolded.  The  berries  are 
only  ripe  late  in  the  fall,  and  after  frost;  they  re- 
semble a  yellow  plum,  but  are  globular:  before  their 
maturity  they  are  exceedingly  acerb  and  astringent; 
but  when  fully  ripe  and  soft,  become  sweet,  and  have 
a  fine  flavor.  These  berries  were  one  of  the  spon- 
taneous fruits  used  by  the  native  Tribes ;  who  pre- 
served them  in  various  ways,  dried  them  and  made 
a  paste  with  them  :  also  a  kind  of  Beer  or  Wine :  this 


156  BIOSPYROS.  No.  32. 

liquor  contains  alcohol,  which  has  been  attempted  to 
be  extracted ;  but  too  many  substances  afford  it  al- 
ready. 

A  gum  exudes  sometimes  from  the  tree,  but  in 
small  quantity.  The  Persimon  Beer  is  made  by 
forming  the  fruits  into  cakes  with  bran,  drying  them 
in  an  oven,  and  bruising  these  cakes  afterwards  in 
water.  The  large  variety  has  fruits  as  big  as  an  egg, 
and  deserves  to  be  cultivated  on  a  large  scale  as  a  fruit 
tree.  The  wood  is  hard  and  fine,  suitable  for  tools 
and  many  other  domestic  articles.  To  make  Persimon 
Wine  the  skin  of  the  ripe  fruits  ought  to  be  taken  off, 
as  it  contains  too  much  astringency. 

Locality — From  New  York  to  Louisiana,  rare 
beyond  the  42d  degree  of  latitute,  common  in  the 
South,  in  woods  and  groves ;  more  common  in  the 
plains  than  the  mountains. 

Qualities — Bark  bitter  and  acerb,  containing 
Tannin,  Extractive,  &c.  Fruit  sweet  and  well  fla- 
voured when  ripe,  containing  sugar,  mucilage,  gallic 
acid  and  several  other  substances. 

PROPERTIES— Bark  astringent,  styptic,  tonic, 
corroborant,  antiseptic,  &c.  Ripe  fruits  subastrin- 
gent,  nutrient,  antiseptic,  anthelmintic,  &c.  The 
inner  bark  is  the  most  officinal  part :  it  is  extremely 
bitter,  and  a  good  astringent  tonic,  useful  in  sore 
throat,  fevers,  intermittents,  and  Dysentery.  In  this 
last  disorder  it  is  often  united  with  rhubarb.  It  is 
much  used  in  Carolina  and  Tennessee  for  intermit- 
tent fevers.  It  is  also  a  powerful  antiseptic,  and 
equal  to  the  Cinchona :     Some  physicians  consider 


No.  32.  DIOSPYROS.  157 

it,  as  well  as  its  equivalent  the  Sorbus  %8.rtiericana 
as  the  best  succedanea  to  Cinchona.  It  has  been 
useful  in  ulcers,  and  ulcerous  sorethroat.  The  doses 
are  the  same  as  common  tonics  either  in  substance  or 
extract.  It  has  not  yet  been  analysed;  but  probably 
contains  a  peculiar  principle,  Diospyrine,  which  is 
by  far  more  astringent  than  Cornine  or  even  Quinine, 
owing  to  its  union  to  the  gallic  acid. 

In  the  South  of  Europe  the  Diospyros  Lotus, 
w^hich  is  very  much  like  the  Var.  microcarpa,  is 
called  holy  wood,  and  employed  as  a  substitute  for 
Guayac  wood.  This  may  perhaps  possess  similar 
properties. 

The  unripe  fruit  has  nearly  the  same  properties  as 
the  bark ;  but  is  too  austere  and  very  styptic.  The 
ripe  fruit  is  very  palatable,  sweet  and  vinous ;  it  has 
been  used  to  kill  the  worms  of  children. 

Substitutes — Sorbus  t^mericana — Prunus  Vir- 

giniana Quercus  rubra Spirea  tomentosa 

Pinckneya  bracteata — Cinchona  Sp.  and  most  of 
the  Astringent  Tonics. 

Remarks — The  Persimons,  Wild  Grapes,  Papaws 
(^»/Ssi7nina)  Hickorynuts,  Pecans,  Walnuts,  Chesnuts, 
Chincapins,  Filberts,  Whortleberries,  Cranberries, 
Strawberries,  Mulberries,  Raspberries,  Blackberries, 
Crab  Apples,  Wild  Plums,  &c.  were  the  fruits  of  the 
native  tribes.  Several  have  been  introduced  already 
in  our  gardens^  but  the  Persimon  has  not  yet  been 
cultivated,  although  no  fruit  deserves  it  better:  it  pro- 
mises to  improve  in  flavor  and  size  under  the  care  of 
the  gardener,  affording  a  fine  table  fruit,  many  pre- 
serves, and  a  peculiar  kind  of  wine. 


158  BZRCA.  No.  33. 

No.  33. 

DIRCA  PALUSTRIS. 

English  Name— SWAMP   LEATHERWOOD. 

French  Name — Diecier  triflore. 

German  Name — Leder-holz. 

Officinal  Name- — Dirca. 

Vulgar    Names Leatherwood,    Moosewood, 

Swampwood,  Ropebark,  (Bois  de  plomb  in  Canada.) 

Authorities — Linnaeus,  Pursh,  Kalm,  Bartram, 
Duhamel,  fig.  212.  Torrey,  Eaton,  Elliott,  Locke, 
B,  Barton,  Zollickofier,  Bigelow,  fig.  37,  &c. 


Genus  Dirca — Perigone  simple,  colored  or  corol- 
liform,  tubular,  funnelshaped,  nearly  entire,  sub-eight 
toothed.  Stamina  eight  perigynous,  exserted,  four 
alternate  longer.  Germen  free  oval,  style  lateral. 
Berry  one  seeded. 

Species  D.  palustris — Shrubby,  branches  articu- 
lated; leaves  alternate,  subsessile,  oval,  entire;  pe- 
duncles triflore  drooping. 

DESCRIPTION— Shrub,  from  three  to  seven  feet 
high,  with  branches  spreading,  cylindric,  flexuose 
articulate,  green,  smooth.  Leaves  alternate  or  scat- 
tered, distichal,  nearly  sessile,  petioles  very  short; 
shape  oval  entire,  acute  at  both  ends,  downy  when 
young,  smooth  and  membranous  when  full  grown, 
pale  beneath,  unfolding  after  the  flowers. 


No    33. 

DIRCA  PALUSTRIS 


SWAMP  lEATHERWOOD. 


No.  33.  DIRCA.  159 

Flowers  blossoming  early  and  before  the  leaves 
come  out,  forming  in  the  fall  within  terminal  buds, 
where  they  hybernate,  buds  with  many  oblong  hairy 
scales,  and  three  flowers.  Peduncle  bearing  a  fascicle 
of  three  flowers,  formed  by  three  cohering  pedicels. 
Each  flower  yellow,  half  an  inch  long,  with  a  simple 
perigone,  called  Corolla  by  Linnaeus  because  it  is  co- 
lored: this  perigone  is  drooping,  tubular,  contracted 
at  the  base  and  middle,  campanulate  at  the  end,  with 
eight  obscure  teeth  on  the  margin.  Eight  Stamina 
inserted  on  the  perigone,  with  slender  filaments,  longer 
than  the  perigone,  and  alternately  longer  and  shorter, 
anthers  rounded.  Germen  oval,  central  free,  with  a 
long  filiform  curved  style  inserted  on  one  side  of  the 
base,  Stigma  acute.  Fruit  a  small  orange  berry,  oval, 
acute,  with  a  single  seed. 

HISTORY — One  of  the  few  American  genera  con- 
taining as  yet  a  single  species.  It  is  a  very  distinct 
genus  belonging  to  the  natural  family  of  Daphnides, 
called  Thymelea  by  Jussieu  and  Vepreciilse  by  Lin- 
naeus, and  also  to  Octandriavionogynia  of  his  sexual 
system.  The  specific  name  palustris  implies  that  it 
grows  in  swamps ;  but  it  is  oftener  found  on  the  banks 
of  rivers  and  even  among  rocks. 

The  blossoms  are  scentless  and  appear  very  early 
in  the  Spring,  as  soon  as  the  Maples  blossoms,  long  be- 
fore the  leaves  are  unfolded.  The  bark  is  very  tough, 
can  hardly  be  broken,  and  tearing  in  long  stripes  is 
used  as  yet  in  many  parts  for  ropes,  a  practice  bor- 
rowed from  the  Indian  tribes :  the  wood  is  also  flexible. 

The  berries  are  poisonous,   children  must  avoid 


160  DIRCA.  No.  33. 

them  :  if  eaten  by  mistake,  an  emetic  must  be  re- 
sorted to. 

Locality — From  Maine  and  Canada  to  Georgia 
near  streams,  and  in  shady  swamps,  rare  west  of  the 
Alleghany  mountains,  yet  occuring  in  Ohio  and 
Kentucky. 

Qualities — The  bark  and  root  have  a  peculiar 
nauseous  smell,  and  unpleasant  acrimonious  taste; 
they  contain  an  acrid  resin,  bitterish  extractive,  mu- 
cilage, &c. :  the  resin  or  active  principle,  is  only  so- 
luble in  boiling  alcohol.  The  decoction  and  extract 
are  bitter,  but  not  acrimonious. 

PROPERTIES — Emetic,  cathartic,  rubefacient, 
epispastic,  &:c.  and  the  berries  narcotic.  The  fresh 
root  and  bark  in  substance  at  the  dose  of  five  to  ten 
grains  produce  vomiting,  with  a  sense  of  heat  in  the 
stomach,  and  sometimes  act  as  a  cathartic  also.  They 
are  an  active  and  dangerous  medicine,  to  which  less 
acrimonious  substances  ought  to  be  preferred.  Ap- 
plied to  the  skin  they  produce  rubefaction  and  vesi- 
cation in  thirty  hours;  this  appears  a  more  safe  mode 
to  use  them,  as  they  might  become  auxiliaries  to  the 
Spanish  flies.  The  berries  produce  nausea,  giddiness, 
stupor,  dilatation  of  the  pupil  and  insensibility  like 
other  narcotics.  Bigelow  considers  this  plant  as  a 
substitute  for  Ihe  Poly  gala  Senega;  but  this  last  is 
by  far  better  and  safer,  and  therefore  preferable.  We 
are  not  told  whether  it  acts  like  the  Poly  gala  and  is 
expectorant,  sudorific,  &c.  Upon  the  whole  this 
shrub  possesses  such  active  properties  as  to  deserve 
attention ;  but  we  do  not  possess  as  yet  sufficient  evi- 


No.  3d.  DZRCA.  161 

dence  of  its  utility.  When  the  bark  is  chewed  it 
produces  salivation,  it  is  so  tough  that  it  cannot  be 
reduced  to  powder,  but  forms  only  a  kind  of  lint. 
The  watery  preparations  are  nearly  inert. 

Substitutes — All  the  milder  emetics  and  acrid 
substances,  Cantharides — Baptisia  tinctoria — Coni- 

um   maculatum Polygala   senega */3pocynu7n 

androsemifoliuTn — Eupatoriuvi  perfoliatum — Ba- 
nunculus  sp. — Euphorbia  coroUata  and  E.  Ipeca- 
cuana — R/ms  Sp. —  Clematis  Sp.  &c. 

Remarks — Our  native  epispastics  are  little  known 
as  yet,  and  deserve  attention.  The  Juglans  Cinerea 
and  the  Oil  of  Sassafras  are  with  the  Dirca  most 
likely  to  become  practically  useful. 

We  have  also  in  the  United  States,  several  species 
of  Cantharides,  such  as  Cantharis  Vittata.  C.  mar- 
ginata,  C,  atrata,  C.  cinerea,  &c.  which  are  equal 
to  the  officinal  Spanish  flies,  and  w^ould  be  available 
if  not  so  scarce. 


B  0 


16S  ERZ6ERON.  No.  34. 

No.  34. 

ERIGERON  PHILADELPHICUM. 

English  Name— SKEVISH  FLEABANE. 

French  Name — Erigeron  de  Philadelphie. 

German  Name — Skewisch  Berusungskraut. 

Vulgar  Names — Skevish,  Scabish,  Sweet  Sca- 
bious, Daisy,  Cocash,  Frostweed,  Fieldweed,  Squaw- 
weed,  &c. 

Authorities — Linn.  Mich.  Pursh,  Pers.  Torrey, 
Eaton,  B.  Barton,  Depuy,  Hales,  A.  Ives,  Bigelow 
Seq.  Thatcher,  Coxe.  W.  Bart.  fig.  20. 


Genus  Erigeron — Flowers  compound  radiate.  Pe- 
rianthe  imbricated,  folioles  subulate  unequal.  Pho- 
i^nthe  naked.  Rays  ligulate,  linear,  entire,  nume- 
rous, pistillate;  central  flowers  of  the  disk  tubular 
complete  or  staminate,  five  toothed.  Seeds  oblong 
crowned  by  a  simple  pappus. 

Species.  E.  Philadelphicum — Pubescent,  leaves 
cuneate  oblong  obtuse,  lower  petiolate,  upper  semi- 
amplexicaule,  nearly  entire  subciliate:  flowers  co- 
rymbose, rays  twice  as  long  as  the  hemispherical  peri- 
anthe. 

DESCRIPTION Roots    perennial    yellowish, 

formed  by  many  branching  thick  fibres.  The  whole 
plant  is  pubescent  and  rises  two  or  three  feet,  stems 
one  to  five,  straight,  simple,  branched  and  corymbose 
at  the  top,  a  little  angular.     Radical  and  lower  leaves 


No.  34. 

ERIGERON  PHILADELPHICUM, 


SSEVISB  TLEABATiJl. 


No.  34.  ERZGERON.  163 

oblong,  base  cuneate  decurrent  on  a  long  petiole, 
nearly  obtuse,  margin  ciliate  entire  or  seldom  serrate : 
upper  leaves  sessile  or  nearly  amplexicaule,  cuneate, 
narrow  oblong,  obtuse,  entire,  alternate  remote :  floral 
leaves  small  lanceolate. 

Flowers  numerous  forming  a  panicled  Corymb, 
peduncles  scattered,  slender,  bearing  one  to  three 
flowers.  Buds  globular.  Perianthe  or  common  calix 
hemispherical,  formed  by  many  subulate,  adpressed 
folioles.  Flowers  radiate,  half  an  inch  in  diameter, 
with  yellow  disk  and  rays  white,  bluish  or  purplish. 
Rays  or  radial  florets  ligular  numerous,  spreading, 
crowding,  narrow,  entire,  pistilate.  Florets  of  the 
disk,  convex,  crowded,  the  central  ones  sometimes 
staminate  and  abortive.  Phoranthe  or  common  re- 
ceptacle, bearing  all  the  florets,  flat,  naked,  pitted. 
Germen  of  the  pistillate  and  complete  florets  oblong 
smooth,  having  a  symphogyne  calix  forming  above  a 
pilose  pappus  which  crowns  the  seeds.  Each  floret 
produces  a  single  seed. 

Locality — Found  all  over  the  United  States,  al- 
though bearing  the  name  of  Philadelphian.  It  grows 
in  New  England,  New  York,  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Mis- 
souri, and  as  far  South  as  Louisiana  and  Georgia.  It 
is  a  field  plant,  seldom  seen  in  woods  and  mountains; 
but  covering  sometimes  whole  fields,  dry  meadows, 
commons  and  glades.  In  old  fields  it  is  deemed  a 
pernicious  weed,  like  the  other  kinds  which  com- 
monly accompany  it. 

HISTORY— Three  species  (if  not  more)  of  this 
genus  have  similar  properties,  and  will  therefore  be 
included  in  this  article,  the  other  two  are. 


164}  ERieimowr.  no.  34, 

1.  Erigeron  heterophyllum,  (Aster  Annuus  of 
Linnaeus)  Jagged  Fleabane,  which  merely  differs 
from  this  by  broader  jagged  difforme  'leaves,  the  ra- 
dical and  inferior  ovate,  sinuate  dentate,  acute,  the 
upper  one  lanceolate  subpinnatif,  and  the  floral  entire 
— Common  in  meadows,  &c.,  mixed  with  E.  phila- 
delphicum.  Figured  by  W.  Barton,  fig.  21.  Biennual. 

2.  Erigeron  Canadense,  Canada  Fleabane.  It  has 
linear  crowded  entire  leaves ;  flowers  paniculate,  very 
small,  with  oblong  perianthe  and  rays  exceedingly 
short.  One  of  the  most  common  weeds  from  Canada 
to  Kentucky,  and  yet  perhaps  the  most  efiicient  of 
the  three.  It  infests  old  fields,  and  has  been  spread 
in  Europe  by  chance.  Very  variable,  principal  varie- 
ties 1.  Uiiiflorurrif  2.  Pusillum,  3.  Maritimum, 
4.    Virgatum,  5.  Serratum,   6.  Lanceolatum,  &c. 

A  multitude  of  vulgar  names  are  applied  to  these 
plants.  Fleabane  is  the  true  English  name,  Daisy 
alludes  to  the  flowers  which  are  similar  to  those  of 
the  true  Daisy  or  Bellis  perennis,  but  the  Bellis  in- 
tegr'i folia  is  the  true  American  Daisy,  Scabious  is 
erroneous,  since  they  are  nothing  like  the  genus 
Scabiosa,  Skevish  derives  perhaps  from  Scabious  or 
from  Cocash  the  Indian  name. 

They  all  blossom  from  July  to  October,  or  until 
frost.  They  are  deemed  bad  weeds ;  but  are  easily 
extirpated.      The  E.  canadensis  is  annual. 

Erigeron  is  a  genus  of  the  Radiate  Order  next  to 
Sster^  of  which  it  merely  differs  by  numerous  narrow 
rays.  Both  belong  to  Syngtnesia  Superflua  of 
Linnasus. 


No.  34.  ERZGERON.  165 

Qualities — These  plants  have  a  peculiar  smell 
most  unfolded  by  rubbing  them,  which  is  not  dis- 
agreeable. Their  taste  is  astringent,  acrimonious  and 
bitter:  the  smell  and  taste  are  most  unfolded  in 
E,  canadense  and  E.  philadelphicum.  They  contain 
Tannin,  Amarine,  Extractive,  Gallic  Acid  and  an 
essential  Oil.  This  Oil  is  very  peculiar,  as  fluid  as 
Water,  of  a  pale  yellow  color,  a  peculiar  smell 
somewhat  like  Lemon,  but  stronger  and  a  very  acrid 
taste.  It  holds  probably  in  solution  Acrine  or  a  pe- 
culiar substance  Erigerine, 

PROPERTIES— These  Weeds  are  valuable  medi- 
caments, possessing  very  active  powers;  they  are 
Diuretic,  Sudorific,  Astringent,  Styptic,  Menagogue, 
Pectoral  and  Tonic  in  a  high  degree,  and  act  in  a 
mode  peculiar  to  themselves,  by  means  of  their  acrid 
quality.  Their  Oil  is  so  powerful  that  two  or  three 
drops  dissolved  in  Alcohol,  have  arrested  suddenly 
uterine  hemorrhagy,  in  the  hands  of  Dr.  Hales  of 
Troy,  who  employs  the  Oil  of  E,  canadense.  This 
kind  is  most  used  in  New  England  and  New  York, 
the  others  in  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey.  The 
whole  plants  are  available. 

The  Diseases  already  relieved  or  cured  by  these 
plants  are  Chronic  Diarrhoea,  Ascites,  Disury,  Nephri- 
tis, Gravel,  Gout,  Anasarca,  Suppressed  Menstrua- 
tions, Dropsy,  Hydrothorax,  Dry  Coughs,  Cutaneous 
Eruptions,  Hemorrhagies,  Dimness,  Rash,  Cold  hands 
and  iQQtf  &c.  The  whole  plants  are  used  fresh  or 
dried,  in  infusion,  decoction  or  tincture.  Their  ex- 
tract is  rather  fetid,  more  astringent  than  the  infusion 


166  ERXGEKON.  No.  34. 

'or  tincture ;  but  less  than  the  Oil,  which  is  one  of  the 
most  efficient  vegetable  Styptics.  This  -extract  and  a 
syrup  of  the  plant  have  been  given  usefully  in  dry 
coughs,  hemoptysis,  and  internal  hemorrhages.  The 
dose  is  from  five  to  ten  grains  of  the  extract,  often 
repeated. 

As  diuretic  the  infusion,  decoction  and  tincture  are 
preferable  and  more  active ;  they  have  increased  the 
daily  evacuation  of  urine  from  24  to  67  ounces,  A 
pint  or  two  of  the  former  may  be  taken  daily;  they 
agree  well  with  the  stomach,  even  when  Squill  and 
Digitalis  are  intolerable  :  the  dose  of  the  tincture  is 
from  two  to  four  drachms  daily ;  it  is  made  by  di- 
gesting one  ounce  of  the  leaves  in  a  pound  of  proof 
Spirit.  They  are  beneficial  in  all  diseases  of  the 
bladder  and  kidneys,  attended  with  pain  and  irritation, 
in  which  they  give  speedy  relief.  Also  in  all  com- 
pound cases  of  gravel  and  gout.  In  rheumatism  they 
have  not  been  tried,  although  they  are  sudorific.  In 
all  Dropsical  disorders  they  act  as  diuretic.  In  chro- 
nic Diarrhoea  as  astringent  and  have  cured  it  without 
auxiliary. 

They  are  even  useful  externally  in  wounds,  also  in 
hard  tumors  and  buboes,  which  a  cataplasm  of  the 
fresh  plants  dissolve  as  it  were.  But  the  most  valu- 
able property  is  the  astringent  and  styptic  power  of 
the  Oil,  which  has  saved  many  lives  in  parturition 
and  uterine  hemorrhagy.  A  saturated  solution  of 
the  Oil  in  Alcohol  is  applied  and  a  little  given  in  a 
spoonful  of  Water;  and  an  instantaneous  stop  takes 
place  in  the  bloody  flow. 


No.  34.  EKIGEHON'.  167 

Since  these  plants  appear  to  increase  as  well  as  to 
prevent  several  discharges  from  the  body,  they  must 
not  act  as  other  diuretic  and  astringent  remedies  ;  but 
by  a  peculiar  acrid  effect  on  the  system,  worthy  of 
investigation.  I  highly  recommend  these  plants  to 
medical  attention.  They  were  known  to  the  North- 
ern Indians  by  the  name  of  Cocash  or  Squaw-weed 
as  menagogue  and  diuretics,  and  are  often  employed 
by  Herbalists.  They  may  be  collected  for  medical 
use  at  any  time  when  in  blossom. 

Substitutes — Erynghini  yucefolium  and  Aqua- 
ticiim,  or  Corn-snake  root,  said  to  be  the  strongest 
diuretic  and  sudorific  of  the  Southern  States — Botro- 
phis  Serpentaria — Fyrola  umhellata,  maculata, 
&c. — Daucus  Carota  and  other  diuretics. — For  as- 
tringents Spirea  totnentosa — Heuchera  Sp. — Statue 
Caroliniana — Arbutus  Uva  Ursa — Geranium  ma- 
culatum — Comptonia  asplenifolia,  &c. 

Remarks — Other  species  of  this  genus  may  possess 
the  same  properties:  they  are  very  similar  to  each 
other.     The  following  might  be  tried. 

E.  bellidifolium  or  Daisy  Fleabane,  a  vernal  kind. 
E,  IntegrifoUum,  or  Slender  Fleabane. 
E.  purpureum,  or  Purple  Fleabane. 
E.  strigosum^  or  Rough  Fleabane,  &c. 


1 68  ERYTHROKIUM.  No.  35 . 

No-  35. 

ERYTHEONIUM  FLAYUM. 

English  Name— YELLOW  SNAKELEAF. 

French  Name — Dent-de-Chien  Jaune. 

German  Name — Gelb  Hundzahn. 

Officinae.Name — Erythronium. 

Vulgar  Names — Yellow  Adder's  tongue,  Adder- 
leaf,  Dog-Violet,  Rattle  Snake  violet.  Lamb's  tongue, 
Scrofula  root.  Yellow  Snow  drop,  &c. 

Synonyms-—^.  Jiavum  Smith.  E.  americanum 
Ker,  Nuttal,  Torrey,  &c.  E.  dens-canis  Mich, 
Eaton,  &c.  E.  lanceolatum  Pursh.  E.  longifoUum 
Poiret, 

Authorities — Michaux,  Pursh,  Smith,  Nuttal, 
Elliott,  Torrey,  Bigelow,  fig.  58,  and  Sequel,  W. 
Barton,  flora  fig.  33,  Coxe,  Zollickofier,  &lc. 


Genus  Erythronium — Perigone  corolliform,  with 
six  deciduous  colored  sepals,  subequal,  campanulate  ; 
the  three  inner  ones  with  a  fossule  at  the  base.  Sta- 
mina six  subequal,  inserted  at  the  base  of  each  sepal. 
One  pistil,  germ  turbinate.  Style  fistulose.  Stigma 
clavate  three  lobed.  Capsul  obovate,  three  celled, 
three  valved,  with  many  ovate  seeds. — Stem  with 
two  opposite  leaves  and  one  flower,  root  bulbous. 

Species  E.  Flavum — Leaves  subequal,  subradical, 
lanceolate,  mucronate,  smooth,  entire,  flower  nodding, 
sepals  oblong-lanceolate,  obtuse,  the  inner  ones  bi- 


No.  35. 

ERYTHRONIUM  FLAVUM. 


TSULOW  SNABELEAF. 


No.  35.  ERYTHRONIUM.  I69 

dentate  near  the  base :  Stigma  with  three  united 
lobes. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  a  solid  pyriform 
bulb,  deep  in  the  ground,  white  inside,  covered  out- 
side with  a  brown  loose  tunic,  sheathing  the  base  of 
the  Stem,  fibres  of  the  root  inferior,  thick  and  short. 
Stem  partly  under  ground  with  two  leaves  appearing 
radical  because  near  the  ground,  the  whole  plant 
smooth  and  shining  ;  Stem  white  below,  greenish  pur- 
ple above,  slender  cylindrical  from  five  to  twelve  inches 
long,  two  sessile  leaves  :  on  the  first  year  of  the 
growth  only  one  leaf  is  produced,  and  it  is  commonly 
broader  and  elliptic.  Leaves  a  little  unequal,  one 
being  commonly  narrower  or  smaller,  they  are  from 
three  to  seven  inches  long,  lanceolate  or  oval-lanceo- 
late, shining  and  glabrous,  veinless  and  with  a  single 
nerve,  often  spotted  by  large  irregular  spots  of  a  dull 
brown  above,  pale  and  unspotted  below,  and  with 
an  obtuse  callous  point. 

A  single  flower  at  the  end  of  the  Stem,  one  inch 
long,  nodding,  of  a  yellow  colour,  sometimes  with  a 
mixture  of  red  outside  by  a  stripe  or  veins  on  the 
external  sepals  or  petals,  which  are  lanceolate  reflect- 
ed, sometimes  acute,  while  the  inner  ones  are  oblong 
lanceolate,  obtuse,  quite  yellow,  veinless,  with  a  cal- 
lous notch  on  each  side  at  the  base,  and  a  furrow  in 
the  middle  above  the  fossule  or  little  pitt  of  the  base, 
above  the  Stamina,  which  are  inserted  quite  at  the 
base,  shorter  than  the  sepals,  yellow,  with  depressed 
subulate  filaments,  and  depressed  linear  anthers.  Germ 
turbinate  triangular,    Style  fistulose,  Stigma  clavate 


170  EnYTKRONIUM.  No.  35. 

prismatic  trilobe  above.  The  Capsul  is  naked,  turbi- 
nate triangular,  with  three  cells  and  many  large  oval 
seeds. 

HISTORY — This  pretty  genus  was  long  formed 
by  a  single  species  E,  dens-canis  growing  in  Europe 
and  Asia,  to  which  was  referred  this  at  first.  Several 
species  have  since  been  discovered  in  Anierica,  and 
they  afford  many  varieties,  some  of  which  may  on 
further  attention  be  deemed  peculiar  species.  They 
all  possess  the  same  properties  as  well  as  a  striking 
peculiar  generic  habit,  somewhat  similar  to  Claytoniaj 
Clintonia,  Mayanthiis,  <§'C.  The  Stem  has  been  mis- 
taken for  a  Scape  by  many,  because  it  is  partly  sub- 
terraneous. When  this  species  was  distinguished 
from  E,  dens-canis,  several  names  were  given  to  it 
by  Botanists  nearly  at  the  same  time,  I  have  chosen 
the  best  if  not  the  oldest  also,  applying  to  its  yellow 
flo\yers,  while  all  the  others  have  white  flowers  ;  the 
name  of  Jlmericanmn  so  often  proposed,  is  become 
absurd  now.  The  varieties  of  this  yellow  species 
which  I  have  detected  are, 

1.  Var.  Viperinuin,  Leaves  canaliculate  with  large 
reddish  brown  spots;  external  sepals  acuminate, 
veined  with  red  outside,  all  the  sepals  with  small 
purplish  dots  inside.  Stigma  entire,  trigone,  pubescent. 
This  is  probably  the  kind  figured  by  W.  Barton. 

2.  Var.  Croceum,  Leaves  narrow  flat  with  small 
spots,  flower  drooping,  external  sepals  partly  red  out- 
side and  obtuse,  Stigma  trilobe  smooth.  This  is 
figured  by  Bigelow. 

3.  Var.  Bracteaiumy  Leaves  unequal.  Stem  with 


No.  35.  ERYTKRONIUl^r.  I7I 

a  lanceolate  bract,  flower  small.  This  is  the  E,  brae- 
teatum  of  Boott  and  Bigelow,  from  Vermont  and  the 
Alleghany ;  probably  a  peculiar  species. 

4.  Var.  Lucid.utn,  Leaves  unspotted,  flat  shining, 
oblong  lanceolate,  flowers  quite  yellow.  This  is 
figured  here. 

5.  Var.  Glaucum,  Leaves  unspotted  glaucous, 
flower  yellow  with  some  red  veins. 

6.  Var.  Lati folium^  Leaves  broad  oval  or  elliptic, 
flat,  seldom  spotted,  flower  yellow. 

7.  Var.  GrandiJIornm. 

8.  Var.  Parvijloruni,  &c. 

Many  strange  vulgar  names  have  been  given  to 
these  plants,  the  spotted  kinds  are  called  Snakeleaf, 
Adder's  tongue  or  leaf,  because  compared  to  Snake's 
spots,  while  the  unspotted  kinds  become  Lamb's 
tongue.  The  Goodyera  and  Hieracium  Venosujn 
are  also  called  Rattle  Snake  leaf  and  used  as  equiva- 
lents. Snow-drop  alludes  to  its  early  blossoms,  com- 
inar  often  throusrh  snow.  In  fact  it  is  in  the  United 
States  the  representative  of  the  Gala?ithus  nivalis  or 
true  Snow-drop  of  Europe,  blossoming  in  March  and 
April,  while  snow  is  yet  falling.  The  E.  albidum 
is  called  W'hite  Snow-drop.  They  are  both  pretty 
vernal  blossoms,  deserving  to  be  cultivated  in  gardens 
although  scentless, 

Erythronium  is  a  generic  name  of  Greek  origin, 
applying  to  the  red  spots  of  the  leaves.  The  genus 
belongs  to  the  fine  natural  order  of  Liliacea,  near 
Tulipa  and  Fritillaria,  It  belongs  to  Hexandria 
7no7Xogynia  of  Linnaeus. 


172  EHYTHRONIUM.  No.  35. 

™  *  ■ 

Locality — It  grows  from  New  England  to  Ohio 
and  south  to  Carolina ;  in  the  Western  States  it  is 
often  superseded  by  the  E*  albidum,  which  extends 
from  New  York  to  Missouri  and  Tennessee.  They 
both  grow  in  woods,  and  under  the  shade  of  trees, 
shrubs  or  plants. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  but  particularly  the 
root,  contains  fecula,  mucilage,  a  resin,  and  some 
volatile  principle  rather  acrid.  When  dry,  the  root 
is  farinaceous  and  loses  its  unpleasant  flavor. 

PROPERTIES— The  root  or  bulb  and  the  leaves 
are  emetic,  emollient,  suppurative  and  antiscrofu- 
lous  when  fresh,  nutritive  when  dry.  The  plant 
appears  to  possess  nearly  the  same  properties  as  the 
bulbs  of  many  Lilies ;  but  with  the  addition  of  an 
acrid  emetic  eti'ect,  which  is  lost  by  drying,  boiling, 
roasting,  &c.  The  dose  to  produce  the  emesis  is 
twenty-five  grains  of  the  fresh  root,  or  forty  of  the 
recent  dried  root.  As  it  loses  its  activity  by  keeping, 
it  is  an  inconvenient  and  unsafe  emetic.  Bigelow 
proposes  to  try  it  as  a  substitute  of  CoIchicu7n:  al- 
though they  belong  to  different  Natural  Orders.  This 
plant  promises  better  as  an  antiscrofulous,  for  which 
purpose  it  is  employed  as  well  as  the  JS.  albidum 
from  New  York  to  Kentucky,  &c.  the  fresh  roots 
and  leaves  are  stewed  with  milk  and  applied  to  the 
scrofulous  sores  as  a  poultice,  healing  them  speedily: 
this  new  medical  property  was  first  communicated  to 
me  by  Dr.  Crockatt.  Many  bulbs  of  Lilies  have 
been  used  in  the  same  way  for  sores,  but  the  active 
acrid  principle  of  this,   may  act  beneficially  on  the 


Ko.  35.  ERYTHRONITTM.  173 

scrofulous  sores.  Bigelow  mentions  that  even  bulbs 
of  Tulips  and  Daffodils  have  acted  as  emetics  sometimes. 
The  roots  and  leaves  of  this  plant  may  be  eaten  after 
boiling,  like  those  of  E,  dens-canis ;  but  the  broth  is 
emetic  and  nauseous,  while  it  is  said  that  the  E»  dens- 
canis  makes  good  broth  in  Siberia.  Salep  could  be 
made  of  these  roots  by  scalding  them  and  drying 
them  afterwards. 

Substitutes — Erythronium  albidum  and  Goodr 
yera  picbcscens  for  Scrofula,  Salep,  Roots  of  Acrid 
Liliaceous  plants,  many  Emetic  roots,  &c. 

Remarks — The  E,  albidum,  White  Snakeleaf  or 
Snow-drop,  will  be  known  by  its  bluish  white  blos- 
soms, and  trifid  stigma.  It  offers  as  many  varieties 
as  the  E.Jlavum,  such  as  1.  Cerulescens,  2.  Candi- 
dum,  3.  Maculatum,  4.  August  if oliumy  5.  Bract  ea- 
turn,  6.  Grandijlorum,  7.  Parvijlorum,  8.  Clan- 
destinum,  9.  Glaucum,  &c.  Found  from  New  York 
to  Missouri  and  Kentucky. 


F  2 


174  EUPATORZUlMt.  No.  36. 

No.  36. 

EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIATUM. 

English  Name— BONESET. 

French  Name — Eupatoire  percefeuille. 

German    Name Durchwachsener    Wasser- 

DOST. 

Officinal  Name — Eupatorium  perfoliatum. 

Vulgar  Names — Thorough-wort,  Boneset,  Joe- 
pye,  Teazel,  Feverwort,  Sweating-plant,  Thorough- 
stem,  Crosswort,  Indian  Sage,  Agueweed,  Thorough- 
wax,  Vegetable  Antimony. 

Synonym — E,  connatum  Michaux. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Golden,  Schoepf, 
Cutler,  Stokes,  B.  Barton,  Torrey,  Eaton,  Elliott, 
Thatcher,  CoXe,  Anderson,  Guthrie,  Burson,  A. 
Ives,  all  the  Dispens.  and  Mat.  Med.  Bigelow,  fig. 
£  and  Sequel,  W.  Barton,  fig.  37. 


Genus  Eupatorium — Flowers  compound  floscu- 
lose.  Perianthe  imbricate,  unequal,  oblong  or  cy- 
lindric.  Phoranthe  naked,  Floscules  five  toothed, 
Style  exserted  bifid.  Seeds  oblong  angular.  Pappus 
subplumose. — ^Leaves  commonly  opposite  or  verticil- 
late,  flowers  corymbose. 

Species  E.  perfoliatum — Stemvillose,  cylindric; 
leaves  opposite  connate-perfoliate,  oblong,  tapering, 
acute,  serrulate,  rugose  above,  tomentose  beneath: 
flowers  with  a  dozen  of  floscules. 


No.  36. 

EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIATUM. 


BONESET. 


No.  36.  EXTPATORIUM.  I75 

DESCRIPTION Root    perennial,    horizontal, 

crooked,  with  scanty  fibres,  and  sending  up  many- 
Stems,  which  are  upright,  simple  at  the  base,  branched 
above  in  a  trichotome  form,  forming  a  depressed 
corymb  ;  from  two  to  five  feet  high,  round,  covered 
with  flexuose  hairs  ;  the  whole  plant  has  a  greyish 
green  color,  and  even  the  flowers  are  of  a  dull  white. 
Leaves  opposite,  decussate,  connate  at  the  base,  or 
united  to  each  other  there,  where  broadest,  and  gra- 
dually tapering  to  a  sharp  point,  from  three  to  eight 
inches  long,  narrow  oblong,  rough  above,  woolly  be- 
neath, margin  serrulate,  upper  leaves  often  sessile, 
not  united. 

Inflorescence  in  a  dense  depressed  terminal  Corymb 
formed  by  smaller  fastigate  corymbs,  peduncles  hairy ,^ 
as  well  as  the.perianthe  or  common  calix,  each  in- 
closing  from  twelve  to  fifteen  floscules  or  florets, 
Scales  lanceolate  acute,  florets  tubulose  white,  five 
black  anthers  united  into  a  tube.  Seeds  black,  pris- 
matic, oblong,  base  acute,  pappus  with  scabrous  hairs. 

HISTORY — A  very  striking  plant,  easily  recog- 
nized among  all  others,  even  when  not  in  bloom,  by 
its  connate  leaves,  perforated  by  the  Stem,  as  in  the 
Teazel  or  Dipsacus  fullonum.  It  belongs  to  a  genus 
containing  nearly  one  hundred  species,  all  very  dif- 
ferent from  this  except  the  E,  sessilifolium  which  is 
nearly  alike,  but  has  smooth  Stems,  leaves  rounded  at 
the  base,  not  united  nor  tomentose,  flowers  whiter, 
whereby  they  will  be  easily  distinguished. 

One  half  of  the  Species  grow  in  America,  and  many 
have  medical  properties;  but  this  appears  the  most 


176  EUPATORltriMt.  No.  36. 


efficient,  and  being  also  best  known,  deserves  a  pre- 
ference, although  several  are  useful  substitutes  in 
some  cases.  It  is  by  no  means  a  handsome  plant, 
while  many  congeneric  are  quite  elegant  plants,  in- 
troduced into  many  gardens,  such  are  the  E.  celesti- 
num  with  beautiful  azure  blossoms,  common  all  along 
the  western  streams,  and  the  K.  purpureum  with 
large  purple  flowers,  on  a  stem  five  to  eight  feet 
high,  with  whorled  leaves. 

The  genus  belongs  to  the  great  Natural  Order  of 
Corymbose  plants,  family  Flosculose,  or  to  Synge- 
nesia  Equalis  of  Linnaeus.  It  takes  its  name  from 
Mithridates  Eupator,  an  ancient  eastern  king  5  it  was 
first  given  to  the  E,  cannabinum,  the  Asiatic  and 
European  species,  whose  medical  powers  were  made 
known  by  him ;  it  is  an  emetic,  purgative  and  altera- 
tive like  this. 

They  are  all  autumnal  plants :  this  blossoms  from 
August  to  October. 

Locality — Common  in  swamps,  marshes,  and 
near  streams,  from  Maine  to  Florida,  and  from  Ohio 
to  Louisiana:  where  it  appears  to  have  been  stationed 
by  the  benevolence  of  nature,  wherever  men  are 
liable  to  local  fevers.  It  is  found  also  in  Nova  Scotia, 
Canada,  Missouri,  Arkansas,  &c. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  roots,  stems,  leaves, 
and  flowers  are  intensely  bitter,  but  not  astringent; 
they  have  a  peculiar  flavor  and  faint  smell.  They 
have  been  analized  by  Anderson,  Bigelow  and  Lau- 
rence, and  found  to  contain  Extractive,  Amarine,  a 
gum,  a  resin,  an  acid  similar  to  the  gallic,  Acetate  of 


No.  36.  EUP AT0RIU2VE.  177 

lime,  some  azote  and  tannin,  and  lastly  a  peculiar 
substance  Eupatorine,  brown,  bitter,  resiniform, 
soluble  in  water  and  alcohol,  forming  sulfates,  ni- 
trates, &c. 

PROPERTIES— A  valuable  sudorific,  tonic,  al- 
terative, antiseptic,  cathartic,  emetic,  febrifuge,  cor- 
roborant, diuretic,  astringent,  deobstruent  and  stimu- 
lant. It  was  one  of  the  most  powerful  remedies  of 
the  native  tribes  for  fevers,  &c.  It  has  been  intro- 
duced extensively  into  practice  all  over  the  country 
from  New  England  to  Alabama,  and  inserted  in  all 
our  medical  works,  although  writers  differ  as  to  the 
extent  of  its  effects.  It  appears  to  be  superior  to  A^n- 
themis  nobilis  or  Camomile  as  a  sudorific  tonic,  and 
preferable  to  Barks  in  the  treatment  of  the  local  au- 
tumnal fevers  of  the  country,  near  Streams,  Lakes 
and  Marshes.  I  have  seen  them  cured  efficiently 
by  it  when  other  tonics  failed.  It  acts  somewhat  like 
Antimony,  without  the  danger  attending  the  use  of 
this  mineral.  The  cold  preparations  are  powerful 
tonics  and  do  not  produce  emesis  as  an  over-dose  of 
the  w^arm  decoction.  It  acts  powerfully  on  the  skin 
and  removes  obstinate  cutaneous  diseases.  It  has 
cured  the  following  disorders  in  many  instances.  In- 
termittent and  remittent  fevers;  petechial  or  spotted 
fever,  called  also  malignant  or  typhoid  pleurisy  ;  dis- 
eases of  general  debility.  Ascites,  Anasarca,  Anorexia, 
and  debility  arising  from  intemperance ;  acute  and 
chronic  rheumatism;  violent  catarrhs;  bilious  and 
typhus  fever,  particularly  low  typhus,  incident  to 
marshy  places,  and  attended  with  a  hot  and  dry  skin  ; 


178  EUPATORIUM.  No.  36. 

also  influenza,  the  Lake  fever  similar  to  the  yellow 
fever,  and  the  yellow  fever  itself;  ring- worms,  and 
Tinea  Capites,  Dropsy,  Gout  and  Syphilitic  pains  : 
dyspepsia  and  complaints  of  the  Stomach,  and  Bites 
of  Snakes. 

This  plant  may  be  so  managed  as  to  act  as  a  tonic, 
a  sudorific,  a  laxative  or  an  emetic,  as  required.  No 
other  tonic  of  equal  activity  can  be  exhibited  in  fevers, 
with  less  danger  of  increasing  excitement  or  produc- 
ing congestion  :  the  only  objection  to  its  general  use 
is  its  nauseous  and  disagreeable  taste.  In  substance 
or  cold  decoction,  and  combined  with  aromatics  it 
becomes  very  efiicient  in  intermittents  and  dyspeptic 
disorders  :  it  strengthens  the  viscera  and  restores  tone 
to  the  system.  The  doses  of  the  powder  are  from  ten 
to  twenty  grains,  the  decoction  and  infusion  from 
one  to  three  ounces.  No  unpleasant  effects  follow  the 
cold  preparations. 

Ample  accounts  of  the  beneficial  effects  of  this 
plant,  are  to  be  found  in  all  our  medical  Works. 
Burson  says  that  in  Anorexia  consequent  to  drunken- 
ness, a  cold  infusion  has  speedily  restored  the  tone  of 
the  stomach.  Zollickoffer  extols  it  as  an  alterative 
remedy  in  tinea  capites,  united  to  cremor  tartar  and 
sugar,  two  spoonfuls  given  three  times  a-day.  Thatcher 
says  that  the  cold  infusion  cures  bilious  cholic  with 
obstinate  constipation,  a  tea-cup  full  every  half  hour 
producing  a  cathartic  effect.  The  warm  infusion 
causes  a  copious  perspiration,  and  often  becomes  a 
safe  and  certain  emetic.  Chapman  relates  that  it 
cured  the  kind  of  Influenza  called  Breakbone  fever. 


No.  36.  EUPATORIUM,  I79 

acting  as  a  diaphoretic,  whence  its  popular  name  of 
Boneset.  The  name  of  Joepye  is  given  to  it,  and  to 
E.  picrpureum,  in  New  England  from  an  Indian  of 
that  name,  who  cured  typhus  with  it,  by  a  copious 
perspiration.  Eberle  says  that  catarrhal  fevers  may 
be  removed  by  drinking  a  weak  infusion  of  it  in 
going  to  bed.  It  is  particularly  useful  in  the  Indi- 
gestion of  old  people :  and  may  be  used  as  an  auxiliary 
to  other  tonics  and  emetics  in  all  cases.  The  extract 
and  syrup  preserve  all  the  properties,  and  are  less 
disagreeable  to  the  palate. 

Substitutes — Anthemis  nobilis  and  Cotula — 
Matricaria  Camomila-^Marrubium  Vulgare  or 
Common  Horehound — Jisdepias  tuherosa — Leptan^ 
dra — Botrophis — Yarrow,  Tansey  and  Sassafras,  &c. 
Besides  the  following  species  of  the  same  Genus. 

1.  E.  teucrifolium  or  Rough  Boneset  (Wild  hore- 
hound, &c.)  has  rough  sessile  ovate  leaves,  with  some 
teeth  at  the  base,  the  flowers  white  with  five  florets. 
Common  from  New  England  to  Georgia. — Milder, 
less  bitter  and  disagreeable  than  the  former,  a  larger 
dose  may  be  given,  chiefly  used  in  the  South,  in 
bilious  remittent  fevers,  when  Barks  are  inadmissible, 
dose  two  or  four  ounces  of  the  infusion  made  by  one 
ounce  in  a  quart  of  water. 

2.  E,  yurpureum  or  Purple  Boneset  (Joepye,  Gra- 
vel root,  &c.)  Stem  hollow,  rough,  five  to  six  feet 
high,  leaves  whorled,  four  to  five,  petiolate,  lanceo- 
late, serrate,  rugose :  flowers  purple,  many  florets. — In 
meadows  and  near  streams  from  New  England  \.o 
Kentucky.  It  has  the  same  properties  as  E.perfolia- 
turn,  has  been  used  in  fevers  and  gravel,  &c. 


180  EUPATORIXnVC.  No.  36. 


3.  E.  verticillatum  or  Tall  Boneset  (Joepye,  &c. ) 
Stem  solid,  smooth,  five  to  eight  feet  high,  leaves 
whorled  three  to  five,  sessile,  ovate-lanceolate,  base 
attenuate,  unequally  serrate,  smooth :  flowers  pur- 
plish with  many  florets — With  E,  purpureum,  same 
properties  often  blended  together. 

4.  E,  Tnaculatum  or  Spotted  Boneset.  Stem  solid 
sulcate,  spotted ;  leaves  petiolate,  ovate-lanceolate, 
pubescent  beneath,  four  to  five  in  a  whorls — With 
the  last.  Stem  four  to  five  feet  high. 

5.  E,  trifoliatum  or  Wood  Boneset.  Stem  solid, 
leaves  petiolate,  ternate,  ovate,  acuminate,  serrate, 
punctate,  rough. — In  woods  from  New  England  to 
Kentucky,  Stem  three  to  four  feet  high. 

6.  E.  sessUifolium  or  Bastard  Boneset.  Described 
above,  common  in  dry  and  hilly  grounds,  while  the 
E,  perfoliatum  is  always  found  in  damp  and  low 
grounds. 

7.  E.  urticefolium  or  Deerwort  Boneset.  Leaves 
opposite,  petiolate,  ovate,  serrate,  similar  to  nettle 
leaves,  flowers  white,  many  floscules. — In  woods, 
exceedingly  common  in  the  Western  States,  eaten 
by  Deer. 

8.  E.  violaceum,  Violet  Boneset.  Leaves  oppo- 
site, petiolate,  cordate,  toothed,  undulate,  pubescent. 
— In  Louisiana,  Alabama,  &c.  a  beautiful  species  with 
fine  blossoms  of  a  violet  color,  deserving  to  be  culti- 
vated. 

These  and  many  others  are  much  weaker  than  the 
three  first. 


No.  37. 
EUPHORBIA  COROLLATA. 


BIOOMXNG  SPURGB. 


No.  57.  EUPHORBIA.  181 

^  No.  37. 

EUPHORBIA   COROLLATA. 

English  Name— BLOOISIING   SPURGE. 

French  Name— Tithymale  fleuri. 

German  Name — Blum  Wolfsmilch. 

Officinal  Names — Ipecacuana,  Euphorbia  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Milkweed,  Ipecacuana,  Picac, 
Hippo,  Ipecac,  Persely,  Milk-purslain,  White-pursely, 
Indian  Physic,  Purge-root,  Emetic-root,  Bowman- 
root,  Apple-root,  Snake's  milk,  and  Peheca  in  Loui- 
siana. 

Authorities — Lin.  Clayton,  Schoepf,  Michaux, 
Pursh,  Torrey,  M*Keen,  Zollickoffer,  A.  Ives,  B. 
Barton,  Coxe,  W.  Bart.  Eberle,  Bigelow,  fig.  53, 
and  Seq. 


Genus  Euphorbia — Monoical.  Perianthe  persistent 
caliciform,  ventricose,  alternate  Segments  petaloid. 
Staminate  flowers  eight  to  sixteen  in  the  Involucre, 
naked,  each  has  one  bilobe  anther  with  a  filament 
articulated  to  a  pedicel.  Pistilate  flowers  solitary 
central,  stipitate,  one  germ,  three  bifid  styles.  Cap- 
sul  stipitate,  three  celled,  cells  formed  by  the  involv- 
ed valves,  one  or  two  seeded. 

Species  E.  Corollata — Stem  simple  erect ;  leaves 
scattered  sessile,  oblong-euneate,  obtuse,  entire;  umbel 
with  five  rays  and  leaves,  rays  trifid  with  two  oblong 


iS2  EX7PB0RBZA.  No.  37. 

bracts ;  flowers  pedicellate,  rotate,  five  lobed,  corolli- 
form  ;  capsuls  smooth. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  large,  one  inch 
thick,  two  feet  long,  yellowish.  Several  Stems  from 
two  to  five  feet  high,  simple,  round,  erect,  often 
smooth.  Leaves  sessile,  entire  scattered,  often  crowd- 
ed, oblong,  obovate,  cuneate  or  linear,  flat  or  revolute, 
smooth  or  hairy,  A  large  terminal  umbel  with  five 
rays,  and  as  many  leaves  in  a  whorl,  similar  to  the 
stem  leaves.  Rays  trifid  and  next  dichotomous,  each 
fork  has  two  oblong  bracts.  Perianthe  (mistaken  for 
the  Calix  by  Linnasus,  &c.)  large,  rotate,  white,  with 
five  rounded  flat  segments,  looking  like  a  corol.  Five 
small  inner  segments  (nectaries  of  Lin.)  like  obtuse 
projections  at  the  base  of  the  segments,  A  dozen  of 
Stamina,  evolving  gradually,  each  is  a  true  flower 
on  a  pedicel,  with  an  articulate  filament  and  a  bilobe 
anther.  Many  perianthes  without  pistil,  when  ex- 
isting it  is  central,  stipitate,  nodding,  rounded,  with 
three  bifid  Styles.  Capsul  three  cocca  or  formed  by 
three  valves  rolled  in  and  making  three  cells,  each 
with  a  seed  convex  outside,  angular  inside,  where  it 
is  inserted. 

Locality — From  Canada  to  Florida  and  Louisi- 
ana, in  dry  soils,  barren  fields,  among  stones  and 
rocks,  also  in  glades,  seldom  in  woods  and  never  near 
waters,  nor  in  rich  alluvial  soils. 

HISTORY— As  in  the  case  of  the  Erigeron  this 
article  shall  include  three  species,  which  have  equi- 
valent properties,  the  two  others  are 

1.  E,  Ipecacuana  Lin.  Ipecacuana  Spurge.     Fe- 


No.  sr.  EUPHORBIA.  183 

rennial,  smooth,  dififuse  or  procumbent,  dichotome, 
articulated :  leaves  opposite,  sessile,  entire,  variable, 
round,  oboval,  elliptic,  oblong,  lanceolate  or  linear : 
Flowers  solitary  at  the  forks,  on  long  pedicels,  peri- 
anthe  small,  campanulate  five  lobed :  capsuls  round 
and  smooth. — Confined  to  the  great  Atlantic  alluvial 
region  exteniiing  from  New  Jersey  to  Florida  and 
Mexico,  along  the  Sea :  very  common  there  in  sands 
and  Pine  woods.  It  blossoms  from  June  to  August, 
and  affords  a  multitude  of  varieties,  such  as  1.  Cespi- 
tosa,  2.  Prostrata,  3.  Kotundifolia,  4.  Lanceolata^ 
5.  Uniflora^  &.c.  this  last  has  only  a  single  white 
flower,  with  procumbent  stem,  and  obovate  leaves.  I 
described  it  in  1808,  as  a  N.  Sp.  E.  unijiora,  6. 
Rubra,  the  whole  plant  is  red,  7.  Portulacoides  with 
erect  stems  and  oval  leaves,  described  by  Linnaeus  as  a 
peculiar  species. — Root  grey,  white  inside,  very  long. 
It  is  figured  by  Bigelow  fig.  52  and  by  W.  Barton, 
fig.  18. 

2.  E.  hypericifolio  Lin.  (also  E.  maculata  of 
Lin.)  Black  Spurge,  (or  Spotted  Pursely,  black 
Pursely,  &c.)  Annual,  smooth,  dichotome,  erect  or 
procumbent,  divaricated  :  leaves  opposite,  petiolate, 
oblique,  subfalcate,  oblong,  serrate,  acute  ;  flowers  ter- 
minal fasciculate,  perianthe  four  lobed  and  white,  cap- 
suls smooth. — Common  all  over  the  United  States,  in 
fields,  &c.  Several  Varieties,  1.  Prostrata,  2.  Mtd" 
tijiora,  3,  Maculata  with  a  purple  spot  on  each  leaf. 
4.  Simplex,  &c. 

The  varieties  of  E.  corollata  are  1.  Linearis  all 
the  leaves  linear  obtuse.  2.  Plcbescens,  Stems  and 


184^  EUPHORBIA,  No.  37. 

leaves  pubescent.  3.  Rosea  flowers  tinged  with  rose 
color.  4.  Paucijlora  only  5  or  6  flowers,  &c.  They 
all  blossom  in  Summer,  from  June  to  September,  and 
make  a  pretty  appearance  by  their  fine  umbels  of 
snowy  blossoms:  they  are  bad  weeds  in  some  fields, 
and  all  animals  avoid  them. 

In  these  plants,  we  have  quite  efficient  substitutes 
for  the  Brazilian  Ipecacuana,  Calicocca,  which  is 
often  adulterated  or  old  in  our  shops.  We  could  even 
export  them  as  true  Equivalents  of  the  officinal  Ipe- 
cacuana. The  E.  hypericifolia^  however,  which  is 
an  annual  plant  is  available  as  an  herb,  while  the 
E,  IpecacAiana  has  a  large  root  from  four  to  six  feet 
long,  which  might  be  exported  and  afforded  cheap. 
It  is  a  singular  coincidence  that  the  name  given  to 
these  roots  by  the  Indians  of  Louisiana  is  FehecOf  very 
similar  to  the  Brazilian  native  name  of  Ipeca^  both 
meaning  Emetic-root.  The  Psyckotria  emetica  and 
Viola  Ipecacuana  furnish  also  similar  emetics. 

The  Genus  Euphorbia  has  been  named  after  Eu- 
phorbus,  physician  of  Juba,  king  of  Mauritania,  who 
brought  the  Euphorbium  or  Juice  of  the  E.  offici- 
nalis into  practice.  It  is  a  very  extensive  and  ano- 
malous genusj  divided  into  many  sections.  Esula, 
Tithymalus,  Characias,  Lathyras,  &c.  It  is  the 
type  of  the  Natural  Order  of  Tricocca  or  Euphor- 
biaceous  plants.  Linnaeus  put  it  in  Dodecandria 
monogynia,  mistaking  the*perianthe  for  a  Corolla, 
but  it  is  now  properly  removed  to  Monoecia  monan- 
dria.  Most  of  the  species  are  medical,  more  or  less 
drastic  and  emetic,  but  difficult  to  manage,  and  in  large 


No.  37.  EUPHOUBXA.  185 


doses  they  bring  on  violent  pains,  heat  and  thirst,  de- 
bility, cold  sweats -and  even  death.  The  E.  helios- 
copia  and  a  species  akin  to  E.  pephis  grow  also  in 
the  United  States  and  have  been  used  in  Europe  in 
small  doses,  as  well  as  the  E.  esula,  dulcis,  exigua, 
characias,  palustrh,  cyparissias,  &c.  Each  has  a 
peculiar  mode  of  action,  and  the  E,  officinalis  of 
Africa  produces  a  blistering  gum.  They  are  all 
milky  plants. 

Qualities — These  plants  have  been  analysed  by 
Barton,  Bigelow  and  ZoUickoffer  ;  they  contain  mu- 
cilage, sugar,  starch.  Caoutchouc,  Resin,  an  essential 
Oil,  Tannin,  and  a  peculiar  principle  similar  to  Emeta, 
which  is  soluble  in  Alcohol  and  colors  it  yellow, 
but  insoluble  in  Water,  forming  oxalic  Acid  with 
Nitric  Acid,  it  might  be  called  Oxalemis.  The  ana- 
lysis of  the  true  Ipecacuana  differs  from  Jhis  and  gives 
Starch  forty,  Gum  twenty,  Wax  six,  Fibrine  twenty, 
Oil  two.  Emetine  or  Acidified  Emeta  sixteen  parts. 
The  roots  and  leaves  of  these  Euphorbia  have  a 
sweetish  taste  subastringent  and  not  unpleasant,  with 
a  peculiar  smell,  when  rubbed;  but  no  nauseous  taste 
nor  smell :  the  milk  is  acrid. 

PROPERTIES— Emetic,  cathartic,  diaphoretic, 
expectorant,  astringent,  rubefacient,  blistering,  and 
stimulant.  These  plants  are  highly  recommended  by 
some  physicians  as  equivalent  to  the  officinal  Ipecac, 
which  it  is  said  they  ought  to  supersede ;  but  Bige- 
low contends  that  they  are  less  mild  and  bland,  and 
although  equal  or  even  stronger,  are  not  so  useful  in 
all  indications.     They  were  formerly  considered  too 

2q 


i86  EUPHORBIA.  No.  37= 


violent  in  their  operation ;  but  have  since  been  found 
to  be  manageable  and  safe :  the  action  is  always  pro- 
portionate to  the  quantity  taken,  which  does  not  hap- 
pen with  common  Ipecac.  As  a  cathartic  they  have 
been  found  equal  or  better  than  Jalap  or  Scammony ; 
requiring  only  "half  the  dose,  ten  grains  will  com- 
monly purge  well,  while  twenty-five  to  thirty  grains 
produce  repeated  evacuations  from  the  stomach. 
Given  in  large  doses  they  excite  violent  vomiting, 
attended  with  heat,  vertigo,  dizziness  and  debility. 
The  E,  corollata  appears  to  be  the  most  efficient 
since  it  purges  at  the  dose  of  three  to  ten  grains,  and 
vomits  at  ten  to  twenty.  But  a  diversity  has  been 
noticed  in  various  constitutions,  the  same  doses  being 
sometimes  inert,  cathartic  or  emetic,  or  both  in  some 
instances;  they  often  produce  nausea  even  in  small 
doses,  and  then  act  as  diaphoretics  like  Ipecac,  to 
which  they  are  preferable  by  having  no  unpleasant 
taste,  nor  exciting  pains  and  spasms. 

The  medical  properties  reside  in  the  thick  bark  of 
the  root,  which  forms  two  thirds  of  the  whole  root,  and 
produces  one  twelfth  of  watery  extract,  and  one  tenth 
of  alcoholic  extract.  They  may  be  substituted  to 
Ipecac  in  all  the  pharmaceutical  preparations,  wine, 
tincture,  extract,  &c. ;  the  emetic  dose  of  the  wine  is 
an  ounce,  of  the  extract  three  to  five  grains.  When 
used  as  a  diaphoretic  and  expectorant,  the  dose  is 
three  or  four  grains  of  the  powder  :  it  may  be  com- 
bined with  opium  or  antimonials.  The  bruised  root 
applied  to  the  skin,  produces  vesication  in  about  twelve 
hours,  which  lasts  two  or  three  days ;  this  property 


No.  sr.  EUPHORBIA.  187 


jft- 


has  not  yet  been  applied  to  practical  use ;  but  might 
be  equivalent  to  that  of  the  officinal  Euphorbium  used 
by  farriers.  The  milk  of  all  the  species  of  this  genus 
destroy  Warts  and  cure  Herpes,  they  may  afford  a 
kind  of  black  Varnish,  or  Gum  Elastic.  The  other 
diseases  in  which  these  plants  have  been  occasionally 
employed  are  Dropsy,  asthma,  also  hooping  cough  and 
fevers,  but  we  have  no  great  evidence  of  their  success, 
except  in  Asthma  when  they  act  as  pectoral  sudorifics. 
The  E.  hyper  id  folia  appears  to  differ  in  its  effects 
from  the  two  others,  it  is  an  annual,  the  herb  being 
employed  instead  of  the  root :  it  has  been  bror^ht  into 
notice  by  Zollickoffer,  who  says  that  it  is  more  astrin- 
gent and  slightly  narcotic  ;  but  it  is  also  purgative,  &c. 
After  evacuations,  he  prescribes  it  in  tea-spoonfuls  of 
the  decoction,  for  Cholera  infantum,  diarrhea  and 
dysentery.  This  plant  is  also  one  of  those  producing 
the  salivation  of  horses,  called  Slabbering,  when  eaten 
by  them  through  chance  in  meadows,  and  the  remedy 
for  which  are  Cabbage  leaves.  All  our  Spurges  are 
more  or  less  active  plants,  those  with  large  perennial 
roots  are  all  emetic,  while  the  annual  kinds  are  altera- 
tive or  pernicious.  One  species  E.  peploides  {E, 
peplus  Americana)  is  said  to  cause  the  milk  fever,  or 
disease  of  Cows  and  cattle  which  render  their  milk  or 
flesh  pernicious.  It  grows  from  New- York  to  Ten- 
nessee, on  rocks  near  streams.  By  a  strange  mistake 
the  capsuls  of  the  E,  lathyrus  (Capper  plant  of  New 
England)  are  pickled  instead  of  Cappers,  being  mis- 
taken for  the  Capparis  Spinosa  or  true  Capper,  and 


188  EUPHORBIA.  No.  sr. 

are  not  found  unpalatable,  although  they  cannot  be  a 
healthy  condiment. 

Substitutes — Gillenia  Sp, — Sanguinaria  Cana- 
densis— Lobelia  in  flat  a — Asclepias  Sp. — Erythro- 
nium  Sp, — Eupatorium  perfoliatum — Officinal  Ipe- 
cacuana  and  other  active  Emetics. 

Remarks — The  figure  of  Henry,  under  the  name 
oT  Bowman's  root  is  fictitious ;  the  true  Bowman's 
root  is  the  Leptandra, 

The  helioscopia,  which  grew  in  the  Northern  States, 
has  nearly  the  properties  of  the  E.  hyperici folia,  as 
was  well  as  the  E,  polygonifolia  2i  small  annual  plant, 
growing  on  the  sea  shores  from  New  England  to 
Florida,  and  spreading  flat  on  the  sand. 


No.  38. 

FRAGAEIA  VE8CA. 


COIOMON  STRAWBERItT. 


No.  38.  PRAGARIA.  189 

No.  38. 

FRAGAKIA  VESCA. 

English  Name— COMMON  STRAWBERRY. 

French  Name — Fraisier  Sauvage. 

German  Name — Gemeine  Erdbeere. 

Officinal  Name — Fragaria  baccae. 

Vulgar  Names — American  Strawberry,  Wild 
Strawberry, 

Synonyms — F.  virginiana  and  F,  canadensis, 
Wildenow,  Persoon,  Pursh,  &c. 

Authorities Lin.    Clayton,    Colden,    Cutler, 

Schoepf,  Michaux,  Pursh,  Torrey,  Eaton,  many  bo- 
tanical works  and  some  Materia  Med.  &.c. 


Genus  Fragaria — Calix  ten  cleft,  subequal,  bear- 
ing the  corolla  and  stamina.  Petals,  five  on  the  base 
of  the  calix.  Many  stamina,  unequal,  filaments  fili- 
form, anthers  round.  Large  central  gynophore,  pulpy, 
deciduous,  bearing  many  Pistils  immersed  in  it,  and 
forming  together  a  pulpy  many  seeded  berry, — Leaves 
trifoliate,  serrate,  stipulate. 

Species  F.  Vesca — Stoloniferous  and  hairy ;  radi- 
cal leaves  as  long  as  the  stems,  stem  leaves  few,  sub- 
sessile  :  folioles  subsessile,  oboval,  lateral  ones  oblique. 

DESCRIPTION — Root  perennial,  creeping,  knot- 
ty, bunches  of  fibres  at  the  knots.  Stems  of  two 
kinds,    some    procumbent,    stoloniferous,    creeping, 


190  FRAGABXA.  No.  38. 

'*  '  — — — ~-— — -^— .^        .. 

rooting,  slender,  with  few  small  leaves,  and  commonly 
sterile;  true  stems  upright  or  reclined,  short,  with 
few  leaves;  both  stems  and  leaves  are  more  or  less 
hairy.  Leaves  either  radical  or  caulinal,  the  former 
on  long  petiols,  the  others  nearly  similar  when  at  the 
base  of  the  stem ;  but  much  smaller  and  with  short 
petioles  when  higher  up :  stipules  lanceolate  or  oblong, 
acute:  three  folioles  sessile  or  nearly  so,  the  middle 
one  subpetiolate,  nearly  equal,  but  the  lateral  ones 
Qommonly  oblique,  and  with  fewer  teeth  inside ;  shape 
oboval  or  oval  or  nearly  round,  margin  broadly  ser- 
rate, surface  with  regular  veins,  lower  surface  pale 
and  more  hairy. 

Flowers  one  or  many  on  each  stem,  with  pedicels 
erect  or  drooping.  Calix  spreading  or  reflexed,  di- 
vided into  ten  acute  segments,  the  alternate  somewhat 
shorter.  Five  white  petals,  oboval  or  obcordate  in- 
serted on  the  calix.  Many  small  stamina  inserted 
there  also,  with  short  filiform  filaments  and  small 
round  anthers.  Pistils  many,  very  small,  oval,  with 
a  small  sessile  stigma,  forming  a  convex  head,  being 
inserted  on  a  fleshy  gynophore,  which  grows,  becomes 
pulpy  and  colored,  involving  the  pistils  or  the  small 
seeds  succeeding  them,  and  forming  together  the  fruit 
or  Strawberry,  which  is  either  round  or  oval,  and 
scrobiculate  or  punctate  by  little  pitts,  each  corres- 
ponding to  a  seed  inside  :  these  fruits  are  either  red 
or  white. 

HISTORY— Few  plants  are  better  known  at  first 
sight,  and  yet  more  difficult  to  describe,  owing  to  the 
variable   characters.     Linnaeus   and    many   botanists 


No.  38.  PR  AG  ARIA.  191 

thought  that  all  the  Strawberries  of  the  five  parts  of 
the  world,  formed  only  one  species,  the  actual  one. 
Others  have  thought  otherwise  and  attempted  to  dis- 
tinguish several  species  and  varieties,  among  those 
found  in  America,  Africa,  Asia  and  Polynesia;  but 
the  difficulty  has  been  to  ascertain  (as  among  the 
Roses)  which  are  the  specific  or  constant  forms  and 
which  are  variable  deviations. 

If  every  deviation  of  form,  color,  direction,  pubes- 
cence and  composition,  was  to  be  considered  specific, 
we  should  have  100  kinds  of  Strawberries,  and  indeed 
some  gardeners  have  described  thirty  or  forty  kinds, 
while  more  accurate  botanists  only  acknowledge  ten 
to  fifteen  species  as  yet.  Meantime  these  species  have 
all  the  same  habit  and  flowers,  difiering  only  by  some 
inconspicuous  details. 

Our  wild  Strawberry  was  long  thought  the  F.  vesca, 
until  Wildenow  and  Pursh  made  two  new  species  of 
it.  In  attending  to  the  many  varieties  which  I  have 
seen  in  my  travels,  I  thought  that  three  or  four  more 
species  could  be  made  from  them  ;  but  noticing  that 
they  are  all  connected  by  intermediate  links,  I  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  they  were  only  varieties  of  the 
F,  vesca,  and  that  the  whole  genus  requires  a  revision, 
I  could  mention  about  twenty  varieties  of  our  wild 
Strawberries  and  seventeen  from  our  gardens;  but 
shall  confine  myself  to  seven  of  the  most  remarkable 
native  kinds. 

1.  Var.  Uniflora,  stems  simple,  one  flowered,  one 
leaved,  as  long  as  the  radical  leaves,  folioles  sessile, 
auboval,  incise-serrate ;  calix  spreading  or  erect,  pe- 


192  FHAGAHZA.  No.  38. 

tals  rounded,  fruits  rounded  or  depressed — Common 
in  glades.     This  is  figured  here. 

2.  Var.  Clandestina.  Nearl}-  stemless,  stems  short 
leafless,  two  to  five  flowered,  concealed  by  large  radi- 
cal leaves,  folioles  oboval,  sessile;  calix  spreading  or 
reflexed,  fruit  round  or  oval. — Rare  in  New  York, 
Ohio,  &c. 

S.  Var.  Piunila.  Stems  short,  one  to  two  flower- 
ed, leaves  shorter,  very  small  oval  and  oboval,  with 
adpressed  silvery  hairs,  calix  spreading  and  small. — 
In  the  mountains  of  Virginia  ~&:c.  one  or  two  inches 
high. 

4.  Var.  Glabra*  Stems  two  to  three  flowered, 
leaves  ample,  longer,  nearly  smooth,  folioles  oboval, 
subsessile,  fruit  oval.  On  the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  Ten- 
nessee, Cumberland,  &c. 

5.  Var.  yBprica.  Stems  one  to  five  flowered,  leaves 
shorter,  hairy,  glaucous  beneath,  folioles  subsessile 
oval  and  oboval,  calix  spreading,  fruit  suboval. — Very 
common  in  the  western  glades,  and  open  fields  from 
New  Jersey  to  Virginia. 

6.  Var.  Sylvatica,  Stems  1-5  flowered  as  long  as 
the  leaves,  folioles  broad  oval,  subsessile,  smooth 
above,  calix  spreading,  fruit  round  or  oval — This  is 
probably  the  F.  virginiana  of  many;  common  in 
woods  and  mountains, 

7.  Var.  Pendula.  Stems  three  to  five  flowered, 
leaves  ample,  folioles  broad  oval,  smooth  above,  sub- 
sessile, calix  spreading;  fruits  pendulous,  globular, 
pubescent. — In  the  mountains  of  New  England,  Penn- 


Ko.  38.  TRACrAXlZA.  193 

isylvania,  &c.     This  must  fee  the  Fr.  Canadensis  of 
Pursh,  &c. 

All  these  varieties  afford  excellent  fruits,  rather 
ismall,  but  highly  flavored,  tfeey  are  red,  seldom  white, 
and  ripe  from  May  to  June,  the  blossoms  appear  in 
April  and  May.  Strawberries  are  deservedly  esteem- 
ed as  pleasant  and  healthy  fruits,  and  have  long  been 
tenants  of  gardens :  the  wild  ones  are  always  as  good 
as  those  cultivated. 

Fragaria  belongs  to  the  natural  family  of  Senti- 
cosEs  next  to  Rubus  and  Comarum,  and  to  Icosan- 
dria  poli/gynia  of  Linnseus. 

LocALiTY^-Strawberries  are  scattered  all  over  the 
globe,  in  cold  climates,  or  on  the  high  mountains  of 
warm  countries.  They  are  found  on  the  Himala 
mountains  of  the  centre  <5f  Asia,  and  from  Natolia  to 
Siberia  and  Japan  in  that  Continent ;  they  grow  all 
over  Europe,  on  Mount  Atlas  of  Africa,  on  the  moun- 
tains of  the  Polynesia  Islands,  and  in  America  all 
over  the  Andes  from  Oregon  to  Chili,  also  from  Alas- 
ka to  Canada.  In  the  United  States,  they  are  found 
every  where  in  woods,  glades,  &c. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  has  a  subastringent 
taste,  the  flowers  have  a  honey  smell,  the  fruits  have 
a  peculiar  fragrant  smell,  and  ambrosial  acid  flavor. 
The  plant  contains  tannin :  and  Strawberries  contain 
the  malic  and  tartaric  acid,  some  sugar  and  much 
water,  besides  an  essential  oil  giving  the  Aroma. 

PROPERTIES — Although  Strawberries  have  been 
commonly  considered  as  an  article  of  food,  they  highly 


194<  PRAGARIA.  No.  38. 

deserve  a  place  among  medicaments,  which  are  not 
the  worse  I  should  think  for  being  palatfible.  Lin- 
naeus introduced  them  in  his  Materia  Medica,  as  well 
as  Schoepf,  &c.  They  are  diluent,  refrigerant,  sub- 
astringent,  analeptic,  diaphoretic,  diuretic,  pectoral, 
eccoprotic,  &c.  They  are  useful  in  fevers,  Gravel, 
Gout,  Scurvy,  and  Phthisis.  They  are  cooling,  pro- 
mote perspiration,  give  relief  in  diseases  of  the  blad- 
der and  kidneys,  upon  which  they  act  powerfully, 
since  they  impart  a  violet  smell  and  high  color  to 
urine.  Hoffman  and  Linnaeus  have  long  ago  extolled 
them  in  gout  and  phthisis  ;  persons  labouring  under 
these  chronic  complaints  ought  to  eat  them  frequently 
when  in  Season,  and  use  at  other  times  their  Syrup. 
An  excessive  dose  of  either  is  however  liable  to  pro- 
duce emesis  or  a  painful  stricture  in  the  bladder,  with 
red  urine,  as  I  have  experienced  myself.  But  used 
moderately  they  are  certainly  a  valuable  medical  diet 
in  many  cases.  They  possess  also  the  property  of 
curing  chilblains,  their  water  is  used  in  France  for 
that  purpose  as  a  wash.  A  fine  wine  can  be  made 
with  them  and  some  sugar.  The  Plant  and  leaves 
have  nearly  the  same  properties,  although  they  are 
less  cooling  and  more  astringent.  Both  have  been 
employed  like  Cinquefoil  and  Agrimony  for  sore 
throat,  swelled  gums,  bowel  complaints,  jaundice  and 
fevers  in  infusion  and  decoction.  A  Vinegar  Infu- 
sion, Distilled  Water,  S3^rup,  Conserve,  &c.  of  Straw- 
berries are  kept  in  shops  in  Europe. 

Substitutes — Raspberries  best  substitute,  Black- 


No.  S8.  FRAGARIA.  195 

berries,  Mulberries,  Red  Currants,  Cranberries  and 
other  acid  berries,  but  none  is  so  good,  lacking  either 
the  diuretic   or  diaphoretic  property. 

Remarks — The  Arbutus  Unedo  or  Strawberry 
tree  of  Europe,  is  a  fine  evergreen  and  ornamental 
shrub,  producing  large  berries  similar  to  Strawberries, 
but  belonging  to  different  orders  of  plants,  the  Bi- 
CORNES  and  Decanclria  Monogynia  like  the  Arhutus 
Uva  ursi.  These  berries  are  edible  but  less  acid  than 
Strawberries,  and  they  are  emetic  even  at  a  moderate 
dose,  as  I  have  myself  experienced.  This  fine  shrub 
does  not  grow  in  the  United  States,  except  in  gardens. 

The  Evonymus  *dmericanus  is  also  called  Straw- 
berry shrub  with  us ;  but  erroneously,  since  the  ber- 
ries hardly  resemble  Strewberries,  being  depressed, 
with  four  or  five  warty  lobes,  not  eatable,  and  without 
any  of  their  properties.  The  leaves  of  this  shrub, 
however,  as  well  as  of  Evonymus  atropiivpiireiis  (the 
Wahoon  or  Arrow  wood  of  the  West  and  South)  make 
a  fine  pectoral  tea,  much  used  for  colds,  coughs,  ca- 
tarrh, influenza,  &c.  The  leaves  of  the  Crategiis 
cniS'gaUi,  or  White-thorn  are  also  used  for  the  same 
purpose. 


ig5  rZlASERA.  No.  39. 

No^  39. 
FRxVSERA  YERTICILLATA. 

English  Naivie— AMERICAN  COLOMBO. 

French  Name — Frasere  Colombo. 

German  Name — Colombo  Wurzel. 

Officinal  Name — Colombo.  Frasera  radix. 

TuLGAR  Names — Colombo-root,  Columbia,  In- 
dian Lettuce,  Yellow  Gentian,  Golden  Seal,  Curcuma, 
Meadow  Pride,.  Pyramid,  &c. 

Synonyms — Sivertia  difformis  Lin.  Sw.  frasera 
Smith  in  Rees'  Cyb.  Frasera  carolmensis  Walter. 
Fr.  officinalis  B.  Bart.  Fr,  Walteri  Mich.  &c. 

Authorities — Waller,  Bartram,  Michaux,  Pursh, 
Persoon,  Nuttall,  Torrey,  Schoepf,  Elliott,  Drake, 
Bigelow  Sequel,  Thatcher,  Coxe,  A.  Ives,  Hildreth, 
ZoUickofier,  many  Dispens.  B.  Barton,  W.  Barton^ 
fig.  35  bad. 


Genus  Frasera — Calix  persistent,  four  parted. 
Corolla  spreading,  rotate,  four  parted,  segments  ellip- 
tic, each  having  in  the  middle  a  large  bearded  gland. 
Stamina  four  short,  alterne  with  the  segments.  One 
pistil,  germen  oval  compressed,  one  style,  two  stig- 
mas. Capsul  oval  flat,  one  celled,  two  valved,  several 
winged  imbricate  seeds  inserted  on  the  valves. 

Species  Fr.  verticillata — Very  smooth,  leaves  ses- 
sile, entire,  radical  leaves  procumbent,  elliptic,  obtuse ;: 
stem  leaves  vesticillate  by  five  ta  seven,  oblong  or 


No.  39. 

FRASERA  VERTieiLLATA. 


h 


^r^ 

mk 


AmBFaCAU  COKOMBO. 


No.  39.  PRASEEA.  197 

lanceolate,   acute:    flowers   in  a  pyramidal  panicle, 
bracts  opposite. 

DESCRIPTION—Root  triennial,  large,  yellow, 
rugose,  suberose,  hard,  horizontal,  spindle  shaped, 
two  feet  long  sometimes,  with  few  fibres.  The  whole 
plant  perfectly  smooth,  stem  from  five  to  ten  feet  hio^h 
cylindrical,  erect,  solid,  with  few  branches,  except  at 
the  top,  where  they  form  a  part  of  the  pyramidal  in- 
florescence. Leaves,  all  vcrticillate,  sessile  and  entire, 
with  a  single  nerve :  the  radical  leaves  form  a  star 
spread  upon  the  ground,  they  are  elliptical  and  obtuse, 
from  five  to  twelve  in  number,  from  ten  to  eighteen 
inches  long  and  from  three  to  five  broad,  constituting 
the  whole  plant  in  the  first  years,  or  before  the  stem 
grows.  The  stem  leaves  are  in  whorls  of  four  to  eight, 
seldom  more  or  less,  smaller  and  narrower  than  the 
radical  leaves,  the  lowest  are  narrow  oblong,  the  un- 
per  lanceolate,  acute,  and  sometimes  undulate. 

Flowers  yellowish  white,  numerous,  large,  forming 
an  elegant  pyramidal  panicle,  the  branches  of  which 
are  axillary  to  leaves  or  bracts,  unequally  verticillate 
or  trichotome :  this  pyramid  is  from  one  to  five  feet 
long:  the  bracts  are  ternate  or  opposite,  shorter  than 
the  leaves,  broader  at  the  base,  acute:  pedicels  lax, 
longer  than  the  flowers,  cylindric.  Calix  deeply  four 
rted,  spreading,   segments  lanceolate,  acute,  per- 

.ent,  nearly  as  long  as  the  Corolla,  which  is  one 
.ich  in  diameter,  open,  flat,  deeply  four  parted,  with 
four  elliptic  cruciate  segments,  margin  somewhat  in- 
flexed,  end  cucullate  obtuse,  a  large  gland  in  the  mid- 
dle of  each,  convex  on  both  side,  ciliate.     The  four 

r2 


igS  FKASEHA.  No.  39. 

stamina  opposite  to  the  sinuses  and  inserted  on  them, 
filaments  short,  subulated,  anthers  oval  oblong,  base 
^lotched.  Germen  central  aval,  compressed,  desinent 
into  a  style  as  long,  and  having  two  thick  glandular 
stigmas.  Capsul  yellowish,  borne  on  the  persistent 
calix,  oval,  acuminate,  very  compressed,  margin  thin, 
sides  subconvex,  with  a  suture,  opening  in  two  flat 
valves,  one  celled.  Seeds  flat,  elliptic,  imbricated, 
-winged  around,  inserted  on  the  sutures  of  the  valves. 
Sometimes  a  few  flowers  have  five  or  six  stamina,  and 
as  many  segments  to  the  Corolla. 

Locality — It  grov/s  West,  South  and  North  of 
the  Alleghany  mountains ;  but  neither  on  them,  nor 
East  of  them.  It  is  spread  from  the  w^estern  parts  of 
New  York  to  Missouri  and  thence  to  Alabama  and 
Carolina.  It  is  fouad  in  rich  woody  lands,  open 
glades  and  meadows.  Rare  in  some  places,  in  others 
extremely  abundant. 

HISTORY — One  of  the  handsomest  native  plants 
of  America:  I  have  seen  it  in  the  western  glades  of 
Kentucky  ten  feet  high,  with  a  pyramid  of  crowded 
blossoms  4  or  5  feet  long.  They  are  scentless  and  in 
full  bloom  from  May  to  July.  It  is  a  true  triennial, 
the  root  sending  only  on  the  third  year  a  stem  and 
flowers. 

Linnaeus  did  nat  know  well  this  plant,  and  called 
it  Sweriia  difformis:  it  is  so  large  that  botanical  spe- 
cimens of  it  are  generally  defective  like  the  patched 
figure  of  Barton.  Walter  gave  it  the  name  of  Fraseray 
thinking  that  it  was  new,  and  dedicating  it  to  an  En- 
gJLsh  gardener,  Mesadenia  would  have  been  a  better 


No.  39.  FRASSHA.  109 

name,  expressing  its  generic  peculiarity,  of  having  4 
central  glands,  while  Swertia  has  8  glands,  2  at  the 
base  of  each  segment.  Four  specific  denominations 
have  been  given,  among  which  I  have  selected  the 
best.  It  bears  also  many  vulgar  names,  but  Colombo 
root  is  the  most  common,  since  it  has  been  found 
medical,  and  very  similar  to  Calumba,  once  called 
Colombo  also,  the  Cocculus  palmatus.  It  is  become 
a  kind  of  substitute  for  it,  and  an  article  of  trade  on 
that  account,  bexng  largely  collected  in  the  western 
states. 

It  affords  few  varieties,  and  stands  as  yet  alone  in 
its  genus,  the  varieties  are,  1.  Oppositi folia.  2.  Un- 
dulata,  3.  Pauciflora.  4.  JlngusHfaliUj  &c.  the 
names  expressing  their  deviations.  It  belongs  to  the 
Natural  order  of  Gentianides  next  to  Si(Tertia,  and 
to  Tetrandria  monogynia  of  Linnaeus. 

Qualities — The  root  is  the  officinal  part,  it  has  a 
sweetish  bitter  taste  like  Gentian,  and  resembles  Ca- 
lumba in  appearance,  having  a  thick  yellow  bark,  and 
a  yellowish  spongy  wood.  But  their  chemical  cha- 
racters are  very  different,  the  Frasera  contains  Ex- 
tractive,  Amarine,  and  Resin  ;  while  the  Cocculus 
palmatus  contains  Cinchonin,  a  bitter  Resin,  Oil, 
Starch,  Sulfate  of  Lime,  and  Calumbine,  I  sus]>ect, 
however,  that  the  analysis  of  the  Frasera  has  not  been 
accurate,  and  that  it  contains  Inuline  or  a  peculiar 
substance,  FraserinCy  intermediate  between  Inuline 
and  Calumbine.  It  yields  its  qualities  to  water  and 
alcohol.     The  leaves  are  also  bitter. 

PROPERTIES— Emetic  and  Cathartic  when  fresh, 


200  PRASERA.  No.  39^, 


Tonic,  antiseptic  and  febrifuge  when  dry.  When  first 
brought  into  notice  it  was  supposed  to  be  equal  to  the 
Cahimba,  and  substituted  thereto;  but  has  been  found 
to  be  inferior,  A.  Ives  even  contends  that  it  is  infe- 
rior to  many  other  native  tonics.  It  has  however 
the  advantage  over  them  to  afford  a  very  large  rooty 
often  weighing  several  pounds,  and  to  sell  cheap:  it 
is  about  equal  to  Gentian  and  Rhubarb,  in  diseases  of 
the  stomach,  and  debility.  It  has  cured  a  wide  spread 
gangrene  of  the  lower  limbs  by  internal  use  and  ex- 
ternal application,  when  bark  had  failed.  It  avails  in 
Intermittents  like  other  pure  bitters,  and  is  exten- 
sively used  in  the  Western  States  in  Fevers,  Cholics^ 
Griping,  Nausea,  relaxed  stomach  and  bowels,  Indi- 
gestion, &c.  As  a  purgative  it  is  substituted  to  Rhu- 
barb in  many  cases,  particularly  for  Children  and 
Pregnant  Women,  being  found  serviceable  in  the 
constipation  of  pregnancy,  &e.  It  has  the  advantage 
of  not  heating  the  body.  Cold  water  is  said  to  add  to 
its  efficiency  and  prevent  nausea  or  emesis.  A  tea- 
spoonful  of  the  powder  in  hot  water  and  sugar  will 
give  immediate  relief  in  case  of  heavy  food,  loading 
a  weak  stomach.  It  is  a  good  corrector  of  the  bile 
alone  or  united  with  other  bitters.  Clayton  and 
Schoepf,  calling  it  Swertia  difformis,  say  that  it  is 
employed  in  jaundice,  scurvy,  gout,  suppressed  men- 
struation and  is  a  specific  in  hydrophobia!  these  indi- 
cations require  confirmation.  The  root  ought  to  be 
collected  from  the  fall  of  the  second  year  to  the  spring 
of  the  third  year  growth ;  when  in  blossom  the  root 
becomes  softer  and  less  bitter.     The  doses  are  two. 


No.  39.  FRASERA.  J^Q^ 

drachms  of  the  powder,  one  or  two  ounces  of  the 
infusion ;  an  extract  of  it  ought  to  be  made  which 
would  probably  be  like  that  of  Gentian ;  a  Vinegar  is 
made  of  it  in  the  west,  useful  as  a  refrigerant  tonic,  &c» 

Substitutes — Coptis  trifolia — Xanthorhiza  api- 
folia — Triosteum  perfoliatum — Menyanthes   trU 

foliata Sabhatia   nngularis Getitiana  Sp. — 

Rhubarb,  Common  Gentian,  Calumba  or  Cocculu^ 
palmatus  and  many  other  tonics,  chiefly  roots,  rather 
than  barks. 

Remarks — The  Frasera  deserves  to  be  cultivated 
for  its  beauty  and  utility.  It  grows  easily  from  seeds. 
It  begins  to  disappear  like  the  Ginseng,  from  large 
tracts  of  country,  by  being  wastefully  gathered.  Per- 
haps the  true  Calumba  might  also  be  cultivated  ia 
Florida  and  Louisiana. 


202  GAUTIERA.  N<r.  40, 

No.  40. 

GAUTIERA  REPENS. 

English  Name— MOUNTAIN-TEA. 

French  Name — Gautiere  rampante. 

German  Name — Bergbeere. 

Officinal  Names — Gaultheria,  Gualtheria. 

Vulgar  Names — Partridge-berry,  Grouse-berry, 
Deerberry,  Spiceberry,  Teaberry,  Redberr}'^,  Win- 
tergreen,  Redberry-tea,  Mountain-tea,  Groundberry, 
Ground  Ivy,  Ground  holly,  Hillberry,  Box-berry, 
Chequer-berry,  &c. 

Synomyms — Gualtheria  or  Gaulthe^na  procum- 
bens  of  many  Botanists,  &c. 

Authorities — Lin.  Schoepf,  Kalm,  Duh.  Golden, 
Mich.  Pursh,  Eaton,  Torrey,  B.  Bart.  fig.  15.  Coxe, 
Zollickoffer,  Big.  fig.  22  bad  and  Seq. 


Genus  Gautiera — Calix  campanulate  five  cleft 
persistent  with  two  scales  at  the  base.  Corolla  oval 
five  toothed.  Stamina  ten  equal,  on  the  base  of  the 
Corolla,  filaments  hairy,  anthers  bifid  above,  ten 
scales  alternate  with  the  filaments.  Germen  free 
round,  style  filiform,  stigma  obtuse.  Fruit  a  round 
berry  formed  by  the  persistent  calix  become  globulous, 
fleshy,  five  toothed,  inclosing  a  Capsul  five  celled, 
five  valved,  many  seeded. 

Species  G.  repens — Root  creeping,  Stems  erect, 
leaves  few,  terminal,  conferted,  evergreen,  petiolate. 


fNo.  40. 
GAUTDERA  REPENS. 


-^rfH^-y^ 


CREEPING  POKlOIMt, 


No.  40.  GATJTIEIIA.  S03 

obovate,  mucronate.  Flowers  few,  terminal,  with 
drooping  peduncles. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  horizontal,  creeping,  slen- 
der, yellowish,  with  few  fibres.  Stems  several,  up- 
right, few  inches  high,  slender,  base  naked  with  a 
few  scales.  Leaves  terminal,  nearly  fasciculate,  un- 
equal, few,  three  to  five  on  short  petiols,  scattered, 
coriaceous  oval  or  oboval,  pale  beneath,  acute,  with 
some  short  mucronate  teeth. 

Flowers  few,  terminal,  subaxillary,  on  drooping 
downy  peduncles.  Calix  double,  external  bifid,  scaly, 
interior  campanulate  five  cleft,  changing  afterwards 
into  the  fleshy  covering  of  the  fruit.  Corolla  ovate, 
white  or  flesh  colored,  with  five  teeth.  Ten  Stamina 
of  a  rose  color,  filaments  plumose,  bent  on  the  base  of 
the  corolla,  alterne  with  ten  small  scales,  anthers  ob- 
long orange  color,  bilobe  two-horned,  dehiscent  out- 
side, pollen  white.  Germ  round,  depressed  resting 
on  a  ring  which  bears  the  ten  scales  or  teeth.  Style 
erect,  filiform.  Stigma  obtuse,  moist.  The  fruit  is 
a  small  five  celled  five  valved  and  many  seeded  cap- 
sul,  inclosed  \vithin  the  fleshy  calix,  which  assumes 
th€  appearance  of  a  round  scarlet  perforated  berry,  of 
the  size  of  a  pea. 

Locality — On  hills  and  mountains,  in  shady  woods, 
Pine  woods,  rocky  and  sandy  soils,  from  INIaine  to 
Carolina  and  Indiana ;  unknown  in  rich  alluvial  or 
limestone  plains. 

HISTORY— Dedicated  to  Dr.  Gautier  of  Canada 
by  Kalm,  wrongly  mispelt  Gaultheria  and  Gualthe- 
ria  by  many ;  but  errors  ought  not  to  be  copied  for- 


g04  GAUTIERA.  No.  40. 

ever,  thus  the  misname  of  procumbens  given  to  it 
must  at  last  be  changed  into  G,  repens,  since  it  is 
creeping  and  not  procumbent.  It  belongs  to  the  Na- 
tural family  of  Ericines  or  Bicornes,  and  to  Decan- 
dria  monogynia  of  Linnieus. 

The  whole  plant  has  long  been  known  and  used  as 
a  pleasant  common  drink  in  the  country  by  the  name 
of  mountain-tea.  The  berries  have  a  peculiar  grate- 
ful flavor,  and  are  eaten  by  children,  although  rather 
dry.  They  are  eaten  greedily  by  Game  and  birds, 
Deer,  Rabbits,  Partridges,  Grouse,  &c.  and  impart  a 
fine  flavor  to  their  flesh,  in  the  fall  and  winter,  when 
ripe.  The  plant  blossoms  from  June  to  Septenrber. 
It  is  known  by  a  multitude  of  local  names. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  has  a  peculiar  taste 
and  smell,  aromatic  and  sweet  It  contains  sugar, 
tannin,  mucilage  and  an  essential  Oil,  in  which  reside 
the  taste,  smell  and  properties.  This  Oil  is  very  sin- 
gular and  peculiar,  it  is  very  heavy,  sinking  in  water, 
yet  volatile,  perfectly  transparent  of  a  greenish  white, 
aromatic,  sweet  and  highly  pungent,  containing  a 
peculiar  principle  Gautierine, 

PROPERTIES— Stimulant,  anodyne,  astringent, 
menagogue,  antispasmodic,  diaphoretic,  lacteal,  cor- 
dial, &c.  A  popular  remedy  in  many  parts  of  the 
Country.  It  is  generally  used  as  a  tea,  but  the  essence 
and  Oil  possess  eminently  all  the  properties,  and  are 
kept  in  shops.  The  tea  is  used  as  a  palliative  in 
asthma,  to  restore  strength,  promote  menstruation, 
also  in  cases  of  debility,  in  the  secondary  stage  of 
diarrhoea,  and  to  promote  the  lacteal  secretion  of  the 


No.  40.  GAUTIERA.  205 

breast,  Sac, :  it  is  a  very  agreeable  and  refreshing  be- 
verage, much  preferable  to  imported  China  Teas. 
The  Oil  and  Essence  prepared  by  dissolving  it  in  Al- 
cohol, are  employed  whenever  warm  and  cordial  sti- 
mulants are  required.  The  Oil  cures  the  tooth-ache 
or  allays  the  pain  of  carious  teeth,  like  other  strong 
essential  Oils.  The  Indians  made  great  use  of  this 
plant  as  a  stimulant,  restorative,  cordial,  &c.  It  is 
injurious  in  fevers. 

Substitutes — Monarda  Sp. — Panax  or  Ginseng 
— Laurus  benzoin — %^ristolochia  serpentaria — Asa- 
rum  canadense,  &.c.  &c. 

Remarks — All  the  plants  which  have  more  or  less 
the  smell  and  taste  of  Gautiera,  contain  the  same 
Oil  and  principle,  and  may  probably  be  available 
equivalents.  They  are  Gautiera  hispidula  and 
Spirea  ulmaria,  roots  of  Polygala  paucifolia  and 
Spirea  lobata,  bark  of  Betula  lenta  or  Sweet  Birch 
tree,  &c.    They  are  called  Pollom  by  the  Indians. 

The  Oil  of  Gautiera  is  now  used  in  all  the  secret 
officinal  Panaceas  to  disguise  or  cover  the  taste  of  the 
other  ingredients,  which  are  generally  common  arti- 
cles such  as  Guayacum,  Solanum  dulcamara,  Sarsa- 
parilla,  Mezereon,  Siillingia  sylvatica,  Snake  roots. 
Spikenards,  &c 


S06  GENTS  AH  A.  •     No.  41. 


No.  41. 

GENTIANA   CATESBEI. 

English  Name—CATESBIAN  GENTIAN. 

French  Name— Gentiane  de   Catesbt. 

German  Name — Katesbys  Enzian. 

Officinal  Name — Gentiana  Catesbiana. 

Vulgar  Names — Blue  Gentian,  Southern  Gen- 
tian, Blue-bells,  Bitter-root. 

Authorities — Catesby    fig ,   Walter,  Elliott, 

Macbride,  Bigelow,  fig.  34,  and  Seq.  Coxe  Disp. 
Zollickoffer,  &c. 


Genus  Gentiana — Calix  campanulate  four  or  five 
tleft,  segments  unequal.  Corolla  with  a  tubular  base, 
and  a  variable  limb,  with  four  to  fifteen  lobes  or 
teeth.  Stamina  five  equal,  inserted  on  the  tube,  not 
exserted.  One  stipitate  Germen  oblong,  two  stigmas 
sessile  or  with  a  style.  Capsule  1  celled,  2  valved, 
many  seeded. 

Species  G.  Catesbei — Stem  rough,  leaves  oppo- 
site, sessile,  ovate  lanceolate,  subtrinerve,  acute, 
flowers  capitate ;  calicinal  segments  longer  than  the 
tube:  Corolla  tubular,  ventricose,  plaited,  with  ten 
teeth,  five  alternc  larger  acute,  five  smaller  bifid. 

DESCRIPTION Root     perennial,      yellowish, 

branching,  fleshy.  Stem  simple,  erect,  cylindric, 
rough,  1  or  2  feet  high.  Leaves  remote,  opposite, 
decustate,  ovate  or  lanceolate,  entire,  slightly  trinerve, 


.       No.  41. 

GENTIANA  CATESBEI. 


CATESBIASr  aXiNTIAN. 


r*^ 


Ko.  41.  eSNTI^KA.  g07 

~~     -  ■         ■  ■  — 

acute,  rough  in  the  margin. — Flowers  subsessile  in  a 
crowded  terminal  head,  of  six  to  twelve,  surrounded 
by  an  involucrum  of  four  leaves  and  some  lanceolate 
bracts,  often  some  axillary  flowers  below  the  head.  Calix 
with  segments  longer  than  the  base,  linear-lanceolate, 
unequal,  acute.  Corolla  large  two  inches  long,  of  a 
line  azure  blue,  base  short  tubular,  limb  large,  plaited, 
swelled,  tubular,  open  at  the  top;  border  ten  cleft j 
five  smaller  lobes  alternating  with  the  others,  but  op- 
posite to  the  calicinal  and  stamina,  bihd,  acute,  cili- 
ate:  the  five  larger  lobes  rounded,  axiute,  entire. 
Five  Stamina  shorter  than  the  corolla,  with  subulate 
filaments  and  sagittate  anthers.  Germen  oblong- 
laneeolate,  compressed,  stipitate;  style  very  short, 
two  oblong  reflexed  stigmas.  Capsule  oblong,  acute 
at  both  ends,  one  celled,  two  valved,  many  small 
seeds  inserted  on  the  valves  or  a  longitudinal  placenta 
on  each  valve. 

Locality — It  grows  from  Carolina  to  Alabama 
and  West  Kentucky,  in  glades  and  open  plains. 

HISTORY — This  species  was  long  considered  as 
a  variety  of  the  G.  Saponaria  of  the  Northern  States ;. 
but  distinguished  by  Walter  and  Elliott,  and  named 
after  Catesby,  who  gave  an  imperfect  figure  of  it  long, 
before.  It  is  one  of  our  best  native  medic.al  Gentians, 
but  we  have  many  others  ;  in  the  Northern  States  the 
G.  qmnqueflora  is  the  officinal  kind. 

All  the  Gentians  are  beautiful  plants,  more  or  less 
bitter  in  the  roots  or  leaves.  There  are  many  species 
in  the  United  States,  some  of  which  have  only  lately 
b^en  noticed  and  many  are  as  yet  undescribed.     The 


£08  (^SKTIAKA.  No.  41. 

Genus  Genfiana  took  its  name  from  Gentius,  king  of 
Illyria,  it  gives  its  name  to  a  large  Natural  Family,  and 
belongs  to  Pentandria  digynia  o^JAnn^ns,  although 
it  has  often  more  or  less  than  five  Stamina,  and  seldom 
if  ever  two  styles.  That  genus  is  a  very  heterogene- 
ous one,  although  striking  by  its  habit;  but  the 
flowers  have  the  peculiarity  of  being  variable  in  shapes 
and  numbers ;  wherefore  many  botanists  have  ration- 
ally divided  it  into  subgenera,  which  might  be  rather 
deemed  Genera.  Almost  all  our  species  belong  to 
the  S.  G,  PneuTTionanthe  having  oblong  or  tubular 
Corolla,  and  five  Stamina,  except  the  G,  crinita 
which  belongs  to  S.  G,  Eublephis  having  four  Sta- 
mina and  a  hypocrateriform  ciliated  Corolla.  While 
the  officinal  Gentian  or  G.  lutea  of  Europe  belongs  to 
S*  G.  Rotularia  having  rotated  Corolla,  with  five  to 
nine  Stamina. 

All  our  Gentians  are  autumnal  plants,  blossoming 
very  late  from  September  to  November:  They  are 
all  ornamental  and  would  adorn  our  gardens,  where 
some  are  already  introduced. 

Qualities — The  root  has  a  mucilaginous  and 
sweetish  taste,  followed  by  an  intense  bitterness  like 
that  of  the  officinal  Gentian.  It  contains  Amarine, 
Extractive,  Mucilage,  Resin,  Sugar,  Oil,  and  the 
principle  Gentia,  which  is  soluble  in  Water  and  Al- 
cohol, as  well  as  all  the  active  parts:  the  solutions  are 
more  bitter  than  the  root  in  substance:  No  astrin- 
gency. 

PROPERTIES Tonic,    Sudorific,    Antiseptic, 

Corroborant,  Cathartic,  &c.     It  is  very  little  inferior 


No.  41.  G22NT1ANA.  §09 


to  the  officinal  Gentian  in  strength  and  efficacy,  it 
invigorates  the  stomach,  and  is  very  useful  in  de- 
bility of  the  stomach  and  the  digestive  organs  :  it  in- 
creases the  appetite,  prevents  the  acidification  of  food, 
enables  the  Stomach  to  bear  and  digest  solid  food, 
and  thus  cures  Indigestion  or  Dyspepsia.  It  is  much 
used  in  the  Southern  States  in  hectic  and  nervous 
fevers,  pneumonia,  &c.  acting  as  a  sudorific  tonic.  It 
may  be  used  like  com.n\on  Gentian  in  general  debility, 
Marasm,  Hysteria,  and  even  Gout.  Also  united  to 
astringents  for  intermittents  and  other  fevers.  The 
dose  is  in  substance  from  10  to  40  grains,  in  tincture 
one  fourth  of  an  ounce  to  one  ounce,  in  extract  2  to  8 
grains.  In  large  doses  the  Gentians  prove  cathartic 
like  Frasera.  They  enter  in  all  digestive  pills  and 
preparations. 

Substitutes — Frasera  VerticiUaia,  Menyanthes, 
Triosteum,  Coptis,  Sabbatia,  Xanthorhiza,  &c., 
besides  nearly  all  the  native  Gentians  that  follow. 

Remarks — Our  native  Gentians  being  little  known 
as  yet,  and  all  medical,  I  deem  it  proper  to  annex 
here  a  complete  account  of  them,  with  notices  on  the 
new  kinds. 

1.  G.  Quiiiquejlora  Lin.  or  five  flowered  Gentian. 
Easily  known  by  its  branched  winged  Stem;  small 
oval,  clasping  leaves;  flowers  five  cleft,  small,  axillary 
by  bunches  of  three,  four  or  five  and  blue — Common 
from  New  England  to  Kentucky,  and  the  best  sub- 
stitute, the  whole  plant  may  be  used,  being  intensely 
bitter  like  Sabbaiia  angularis.  Annual. 

3,    G,  %flmardloides  Michaux  or   Yellow  bunch 

2  s 


glO  GENTIANA.  No.  41. 


Gentian.  Differs  from  the  former  by  oval  lanceolate 
leaves,  stem  round  with  four  small  angles,  flowers 
axillary  and  terminal,  yellowish,  calix  longer  foliace- 
ous. — In  Kentucky,  Illinois,  &c.  Equal  to  th«  former. 
Annual. 

3.  G.  Crinita  Wild.  Fringed  Gentian.  Easily 
knov/n  by  its  lanceolate  leaves,  large  solitary  flowers 
on  long  peduncles  with  a  fringed  four  cleft  corolla, 
&.C. — An  elegant  species  found  from  New  York  to 
Carolina.  Perennial  like  all  the  following. 

4.  G.  Saponaria  Lin.  Soap  Gentian.  Leaves 
oval  lanceolate,  acute,  trinerve,  flowers  verticillate, 
sessile ;  calix  v/ith  short  oval  segments :  corolla  ob- 
long, with  ten  teeth,  the  interior  unequally  trifid. — 
Common  from  New  England  to  Virginia,  medical. 

•5.  G,  Clausa  Raf.  Closed  Gentian.  Stem  round 
smooth,  leaves  ovate  lanceolate,  acuminate,  subtri- 
nerve:  flowers  verticillate,  sessile ;  calix  four  to  six  cleft 
angular,  segments  foliaceous  short :  Corolla  clavate, 
short,  closed  8-10  teeth,  internal  teeth  equally  bilobe. 
On  the  Taconick  and  Green  mountains,  flowers  blue, 
half  the  size  of  G.  Saponaria  and  quite  shut.  Variety 
with  ternate  lanceolate  leaves. 

6.  G,  Angustifolia  Michaux.  Narrow  leaved  G. 
Stem  simple,  slender,  one  flowered,  leaves  narrow 
linear  spreading:  Corolla  funnel  shaped  ten  cleft, 
with*five  internal  lacerate  segments. — Rare,  beautiful 
large  flowers,  in  New  Jersey,  Carolina,  &c. 

7.  G.  Linearis  Willd.  Linear  G.  Stem  rough, 
leaves  linear  lanceolate,  undulate,  ciliate;  flowers  ca- 
pitate, sessile,  Corolla  campanulate  five  cleft,  with 


No.  41.  6XSNTZANA.  Si  £ 

the   internal    folds    denticulate. — In  the   Alleghany 
mountains. 

8.  G.  Ochroleuca  Wild.  Pale  G.  Stem  rough  an- 
gular, leaves  elliptic  rough ;  flowers  capitate,  ses- 
sile: Corolla  ventricose,  closed,  five  cleft,  inner  folds 
simple,  acute. — In  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  &c. 
flowers  yellowish  white. 

9.  G,  Heterophylla  Raf.  Grey  G.  Stem  simple, 
erect,  round,  smooth  ;  leaves  subtrinerve,  lower  ob- 
oval  obtuse,  medial  elliptic,  upper  oblong  acute: 
Flowers  terminal,  sessile  two  to  four,  calix  campanu- 
late,  segments  cuneate  obtuse ;  Corolla  ventricose, 
five  cleft,  segments 'aoute,  bidentate  on  one  side. — On 
the  mountains  of  Virginia,  East  Kentucky  and  Ten- 
nessee, flowers  of  a  pale  bluish  grey.  Sometimes 
called  Flux-root  and  used  for  the  Disentery. 

10.  G,  SerpentaHa  Raf.  Snake-root  G,  Stem 
smooth,  flexuose,  subangular;  leaves  obovate  or  ob- 
long, subobtuse,  subtrinerve,  undulated :  Flowers 
fascicled  sessile,  bracteoles  petiolate,  calix  campanu- 
late,  angular,  segments  linear  and  carinate:  Corolla 
tubular  five  cleft,  segments  obtuse  notched,  inner 
folds  lacerated. — In  Indiana,  Illinois,  &c.  Root  consi- 
dered a  specific  for  men  and  cattle  bitten  by  Rattle- 
snakes and  Copper-heads ;  it  is  also  said  to  stupify 
snakes. 

11.  G,  Shortiana  Rdi^.  Shortian  Gentian.  Several 
assurgent  stems,  rough,  ancipital,  one]flowered  ;  leaves 
oblong  or  cuneiform,  as  long  as  the  intervals,  glau- 
cous beneath,  edges  rough,  uninerve,  the  lower  ob- 
tuse.    Flower  sessile  bracteate,  calicinal   segments 


g  i  a  G3HTI  AH  A.  No.  41 . 


short,  oblong:  Corolla  nearly  campanulate,  five  cleft, 
internal  folds  lacerated — Common  in  the  glades  of 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Illinois,  &:c.  Stem  sometimes 
only  four  inches,  and  flower  above  one  inch,  blue. 
Var.  biflora,  stem  upright,  two  flowered.  Dedicated 
to  Dr.  Short  of  Kentucky,  who  has  communicated 
to  me  several  of  the  fine  following  new  species. 

12.  G.  Tor rey ana  or  HoYYQydiXi,  Stem  erect,  rough, 
quadrangular,  leaves  linear-lanceolate,  obtuse,  glau- 
cous, short,  twice  as  long  as  the  intervals,  uninerve, 
clasping,  often  revolute.  Flowers  three  to  five,  ter- 
minal, sessile,  calicinal  segments  linear,  as  long  as  the 
tube :  Corolla  nearly  campanulaje*  five  cleft,  segments 
acute,  inner  folds  entire — In  the  glades  with  the  fore- 
going, flowers  blue,  one  inch  long.  Dedicated  to  Dr. 
Torrey. 

13.  G,  Rigida  Raf.  Stiff  G.  Stem  stifi;  round, 
rough ;  leaves  lanceolate,  acute,  stiff,  small,  subtri- 
nerve,  clasping,  longer  than  the  intervals.  Flowers 
one  to  five  terminal,  calicinal  segments  linear,  as  long 
as  the  tube:  Corolla  campanulate  five  cleft,  segments 
acute,  inner  folds  entire — In  West  Kentucky,  Ten- 
nessee, &c.  stem  red,  flower  Wue,  one  inch  long,* 
leaves  glaucous  beneath,  small. 

14.  G.  Elliottea  Raf.  or  Elliottian  G.  Stem 
round,  smooth,  leaves  oblong,  narrow,  subacute  at  both 
ends,  as  long  as  the  intervals,  subtrinerve,  glaucous 
beneath:  Flowers  three  to  five  terminal,  sessile;  calix 
elongated,  segments  oblong  acute,  as  long  as  the  tube : 
Corolla  campanulate,  segments  acute,  inner  folds  lace- 


ISO.  41.  GENTIAN  A.  ^IS 


rated — In  West  Kentucky,  leaves  few,  three  inches 
long,  flowers  1  1-2  inches,  blue.  Dedicated  to  Elliott. 

15.  G.  Gracilis  Raf.  Slender  G.  Stem  slender, 
rough,  round  ancipital ;  leaves  twice  as  long  as  the 
intervals,  not  spreading,  linear,  uninerve,  clasping,  the 
lower  obtuse,  upper  acute :  Flowers  two  to  five,  ses- 
sile, long  and  slender,  calicine  segments  linear,  as 
long  as  the  tube:  Corolla  slender,  tubular  sub-cam- 
panulate,  five  cleft,  segments  deep,  acuminate,  inner 
folds  simple — In  West  Kentucky.  It  has  neither  the 
leaves  ciliate  and  undulate  as  in  G.  linearis  nor  the 
glaucous  short  leaves  of  G.  torreyana*  A  variety  of 
this  with  broader  leaves,  more  spreading,  may  be  the 
O.  pneumonanthe  of  Michaux,  but  not  Linnaeus. 
Leaves  in  both  one  inch  long,  and  flowers  two  inches 
long. 

16.  G.  Axillaris  Raf.  Axillary  G.  Stem  round, 
rough ;  leaves  oblong  lanceolate,  acute  at  both  ends, 
trinerve,  twice  as  long  as  the  intervals :  flowers  axil- 
lary, pedicellate,  shorter  than  the  leaves;  segments  of 
the  calix  linear,  as  long  as  the  tube :  Corolla  tubular, 
five  cleft,  segments  acute,  with  a  lateral  tooth — Glades 
of  West  Kentucky.  Leaves  three  inches  long,  flow- 
ers one  inch,  with  two  lanceolate  bracts. 

17.  G.  Co/Zm^fa/iaRaf.  Collinsian  G.  Stem  round, 
smooth ;  leaves  lanceolate,  acuminate,  trinerve,  longer 
than  the  intervals^  flowers  capitate,  involucrate,  seg- 
ments of  the  calix  lanceolate,  acute,  as  long  as  the 
tube:  Corolla  campanulate,  five  cleft,  segments  mu- 
cronate,  inner  folds  rounded,  notched. — A  fine  species, 
leaves  three  inches  long,  flowers  two  inches,  blue.— 


tiii  GSNTZANA.  No.  41. 

In  the  glades  of  Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri  and  West 
Kentucky.  Dedicated  to  Z.  Collins. 

I  have  never  seen  the  G^  pneiimonanthe  nor  G, 
Villosa  of  Linnaeus.  I  suspect  that  the  true  G.  pneu- 
monanthe  of  Europe,  does  not  grow  in  America,  all 
our  species  being  different  from  the  European,  and 
that  either  G.  gracilis  or  G.  torreyana  was  meant  by 
Michaux.  As  for  G,  villosa  it  is  a  doubtful  plant, 
seen  by  very  few  botanists,  all  our  Gentians  have 
smooth  leaves,  I  suspect  that  it  may  be  a  hairy  variety 
of  my  G.  heterophyllo. 

The  above  account  may  be  considered  as  a  concise 
monography  of  our  Gentians;  but  there  are  some 
other  species  in  the  southern  states.  The  perennial 
kinds,  which  are  the  most  numerous,  have  their  medi- 
cinal properties  concentrated  in  the  roots,  which  may 
safely  be  substituted  to  the  officinal  Gentian.  The 
annual  kinds  have  the  whole  plant  intensely  bitter  and 
available  as  in  Sabbatittf  Chelone  glabra,  Verbena 
hastata  &c.  They  all  ought  to  be  cultivated  for  their 
beautiful  blue  blossoms,  and  officinal  utility. 


No.  42. 

GERANIUM  MACULATUM 


SPOTTED  CRAlVBSBnE. 


Ko.  42.  aEnANlUM.  f        SlSf 

-' ,         ■        ■  ••■'  ■  -  '  -      .    "     ■■■!         :=— 

No.  42. 
GERANIUM  MACULATUM. 

English  Name— SPOTTED  CRANE-S  BILL. 

French  Name — Geranium  Macule. 

German  Name — Geflecter  Storchschnabel. 

Officinal  Names — Geranium  radix,  Kino  Ame- 
ricanus. 

Vulgar  Names — Crowfoot,  Alum-root,  Tormen- 
til,  Storkbill.  In  Canada  and  Louisiana'  Bacine  a 
hccquet. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Schoepf,  Colden, 
Cocln,  Thacher,  B.  Barton,  Mease,  Coxe,  Eberle, 
A.  Ives,  Zollickoffer.  Big.  fig.  8,  and  seq.  W.  Barton 
fig.  13. 


Genus  Gerani-um — Calix  five  parted,  equal,  per- 
sistent. Corol  five  equal  petals.  Stamina  10,  hypogy- 
nous,  filaments  monadelphous  or  united  at  the  base, 
five  alternate  shorter.  Germ  central  with  five  glands 
at  the  base,  a  persistent  style,  five  stigmas.  Ftuit  five 
capsuls  one  seeded,  attached  by  a  beak  to  the  persist- 
ent style. 

Species  G.  Maculatum — Perennial,'  hairy,  erect 
dichotome;  leaves  few,  opposite,. three  to  five  parted, 
palmate,  segments  oblong  acute,  jagged  :  peduncles 
elongated,  biflore,  petals  obovate. 

DESCRIPTION—Root  perennial,  horizontal,  ob- 
long, thick,  rough,  knobby,  brownish  spotted  with 
greenish,  whitish  inside,  very  brittle  when  dry,  with 


S16  GERANIUM.       «^     No.  42.. 

few  short  fibres.  Stem  erect,  round,  with  few  di- 
chotome  branches  and  leaves,  covered  as  well  as  the 
petiols  with  retrorse  hairs,  and  from  one  to  three  feet 
high.  Several  radical  leaves  on  long  petiols,  the  stem 
leaves  opposite,  at  the  distant  forks,  on  shorter  petiols; 
floral  leaves  nearly  sessile:  all  are  palmate,  five  parted, 
seldom  three  parted,  segments  oblong  or  cuneate,  pu- 
bescent entire  at  the  base,  unequally  jagged  above, 
sometimes  spotted:  stipules  linear  or  lanceolate,  mem- 
branaceous ciliate. 

Flowers  geminate  on  biflore  peduncles,  arising  from 
the  forks,  erect,  round,  swelled  at  the  base,  with  linear 
bracts,  similar  to  the  stipules.  Calix  formed  by  five 
deep  segments,  oval  lanceolate,  cuspidate,  five  nerved, 
hairy  outside,  margin  membranaceous  or  ciliated. 
Five  equal  petals,  obovate,  entire,  red  with  purple 
veins,  twice  as'long  as  the  calix.  Stamina  10,  filaments 
erect,  shorter  than  the  petals,  connected  at  the  base, 
filiform  above,  five  alterne  shorter,  anthers  oblong 
violet — Germ  ovate,  with  five  glands  at  the  base, 
style  erect,  grooved,  persistent,  five  oblong  obtuse 
stigmas,  l^ruit  a  capsul  divided  into  five  coccas  or 
one  seeded  capsuls,  attached  inside  to  the  style,  and 
curling  up  at  maturity. 

LocALiT-f — All  over  the  United  States  from  Maine 
to  Louisiana,  Missouri  and  Florida ;  very  common  in 
woods,  copices,  hedges,  glades,  &c.  no  vvhere  more 
abundant  than  in  the  western  glades  of  Kentucky,  &c. 
HISTORY — The  genus  Geranium  of  Linnaeus 
forms  a  most  beautiful  group  of  plants,  of  which  nearly 
200  kinds  are  known,  and  many  adorn  our  gardens. 


No.  42.  GERANIXJM.  SI7 

They  are  now  the  type  of  a  natural  family  Gruinales 
or  Geranides,  divided  into  many  genera:  Erodium 
with  five  stamina,  Pelargonium  with  seven,  besides 
Gruinalium,  Monsoniaf  Oxalis,  &c.  The  name  is 
now  restricted  to  the  species  with  ten  stamina ;  it  de- 
rives from  a  Gj;eek  name  meaning  Crane.  The  G. 
maculatum  belongs  to  the  true  decandrous  Geraniums: 
the  specific  name  applies  to  the  root  and  leaves  which 
are  often  spotted  or  mottled  ;  but  a  variety  is  spotless. 
The  varieties  are  many,  such  as  1.  Humile,  2,  Di- 
phyllum,  3.  Viride,  4.  dlbifloruin,  5.  Macrophyl- 
lum,  &c. 

It  is  a  beautiful  plant,  deserving  cultivation,  the 
flowers  are  large,  but  scentless,  red,  purple  or  white, 
with  darker  veins.  It  blossoms  in  the  spring,  from 
May  to  July.  It  has  an  extensive  native  range,  and  I 
have  seen  it  growing  by  millions  in  the  glades  of 
West  Kentucky,  where  it  could  be  collected  cheaply 
for  use  and  exportation.  The  best  time  for  collection 
is  the  fall. 

Geranium  belongs  to  Monadelphia  decandria  of 
Linnseus,  the  Pelargonium  or  African  Geraniums  of 
the  gardens,  to  M.  heptandria. 

Qualities — Root  nearly  scentless,  taste  astringent, 
but  not  unpleasant;  it  contains  much  tannin,  more 
than  kino,  extractive,  lignine  and  kinic  acid?  or  a 
peculiar  acid  difiering  from  gallic  acid  in  not  redden- 
ing vegetable  blues,  and  not  passing  over  in  distilla- 
tion. The  active  principles  are  soluble  in  water  and 
alcohol:  the  alkalies  neutralize  them. 

PROPERTIES — Powerful  astringent,  vulnerary, 

T 


S18  geranium:.  no.42. 

subtonic  and  antiseptic.  The  root  is  the  officinal  part, 
'  and  is  a  pure,  pleasant  and  valuable  astringent,  equal 
to  kino  and  catechu,  and  deserving  not  only  the  name 
of  American  Kino  ;  but  to  be  introduced  in  Materia 
Medica  as  a  superior  equivalent.  It  is  a  better  tonic 
than  kino,  and  therefore  preferable  t©  it  in  the  treat- 
ment of  morbid  fluxes  connected  with  relaxation  and 
debility.  Its  internal  use  is  indicated  in  the  secondary 
stages  of  Dysentery  and  Cholera  Infantum  :  it  is  ex- 
tensively used  in  the  country  for  all  bowel  complaints ; 
but  sometimes  improperly  or  too  early.  A  gargle  of 
the  decoction  is  useful  in  cynanche  tonsilaris  and  in 
ulcerations  or  aphthous  sores  of  the  mouth  and  throat. 
,>R.The  infusion  is  a  valuable  lotion  in  unhealthy  ulcers 
and  passive  hemorrhagy,  also  one  of  the  best  injec- 
tions in  gleet  and  leucorhea.  It  was  once  deemed  a 
styptic  in  bleeding  hemorrhagy,  but  has  failed  in  many 
instances.  United  to  our  native  Gentians  or  to  Fra- 
sera,  it  forms  one  of  the  most  efficient  cures  for  inter- 
mittents.  A  decoction  in  milk  is  very  good  in  loose- 
ness of  bowels  and  diarrhea.  Our  Indians  value  this 
plamt  highly,  and  use  it  for  wounds,  gonorrhoea,  ulcers 
on  the  legs,  diabetes,  bloody  urine,  involuntary  dis- 
charges of  urine,  immoderate  menstruations,  &c.  The 
general  effects  on  the  system  are  to  give  tone  to  the 
bowels  and  stomach,  stop  all  immoderate  discharges, 
and  prevent  internal  mortification.  It  has  also  been 
recommended  in  scurvy,  nephritis  and  phthisical  diar- 
rhea, but  does  not  avail  much  in  those  disorders.  Not 
being  at  all  stimulant,  it  may  be  useful  when  sedative 
astringents  are  required.  •  It  has  cured  a  periodical 


No.  42.  GERANIUM.  SI 9 

hemoptysis  according  to  Dr.  Harris.  It  is  also  used 
in  Veterinary  for  the  diseases  of  cattle  or  horses,  and 
cures  the  bloody  water  of  cattle.  The  doses  are  one 
to  two  ounces  in  infusion  or  decoction,  two  to  four 
drachms  of  the  tincture,  fifteen  to  forty  grains  of  the 
powder,  and  ten  to  fifteen  grains  of  the  extract,  which 
is  a  most  powerful  and  efficient  astringent,  equalled 
only  by  the  extract  of  Spirea  tomentosa. 

Substitutes —  Orobanche  Virginiaiia — Statics 
Caroliniana — Tormentilla  erecta — Rubus  villosus 
— Heuchera  species — Geum  Sp, — Spirea  tome?itosa 
and  Sp.  cpulifolia — Kino,  Catechu,  Galls  and  all 
powerful  vegetable  astringents. 

Remarks — The  officinal  kinos  are  four.  1.  African 
Kino  or  Fterocarpus  erinacea^  2.  Botany  Bay  Kino 
or  Eucalyptus  resinifera,  3.  Jamaica  Kino  or  Butea 
frondosa,  4.  American  Kino  or  Geranium  macula- 
turrif  this  last  is  the  most  efficient  and  powerful,  by 
far  preferable  to  all  the  others,  since  it  has  no  bitterish 
taste  nor  resinous  matter,  like  the  first  and  third,  nor 
the  disagreeable  sweetish  taste  of  th.e  second.  It  ought 
to  supersede  them  in  our  pharmacies  at  least,  if  not 
elsewhere.  The  Catechu  or  extract  of  Minosa  Cate- 
chu is  merely  equal  to  it. 

The  Geranium  robertianmn  of  Europe,  grows  also 
in  North  America  from  New  England  to  Ohio,  on 
stony  hills,  and  is  a  weak  equivalent  of  the  G.  macu- 
latum;  but  it  is  also  diuretic,  and  therefore  more 
available  in  nephritis,  gravel,  and  diseases  of  the  blad- 
der. It  will  be  easily  known  by  its  musky  smelly 
annual  root,  small  flowers,  &c. 


220  GEUM.  No.  43. 

No.  43. 

GEUM  yiRGINIANUM. 

English  Name— WHITE  AVENS. 

French  Name — Benoite  de  Virginie. 

German  Name — Bennet. 

Officinal  Name — Geum  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Evan  root,  Avens,  Chocolate 
root,  Bennet,  Cure-all,  Throatroot. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Kalm,  Schoepf, 
Cutler,  A.  Ives,  Buckhaven,  Melandri,  Zollickoffer, 
Bigelow  seq.  Coxe^  &c. 


Genus  Geum — Calix  ten  cleft,  spreading,  the  alter- 
nate segments  smaller.  Petals  five  on  the  calix.  Many 
stamina  inserted  on  the  base  of  the  calix.  Many  cen- 
tral pistils,  each  with  a  long  persistent  style  and  ob- 
tuse stigma,  and  becoming  a  seed.  Seeds  forming  a 
cluster,  awned  by  the  styles. 

Species  G.  Virginianum — Pubescent,  stem  erect, 
radical  and  lower  leaves  ternate,  petiolate,  upper  ses- 
sile and  simple,  folioles  ovate,  lanceolate,  acute,  un- 
equally serrate,  stipuks  ovate,  serrate  or  entire: 
flowers  few,  erect,  petals  oboval,  shorter  than  the  calix; 
awns  uncinate,  hairy,  twisted. 

DESCRIPTION— Roots  perennial,  small,  brittle, 
brown,  crooked,  tuberculated,  oblong,  horizontal. 
Stem  simple,  erect,  about  two  feet  high,  pubescent, 
few  flowered.     Radical  leaves  on  long  petioles,  with- 


No.  43. 

GEUM  VIRGINIANUM. 


WHZTZ3  AVI32VS. 


No.  43.  &£UM.  ^2i 

out  stipules,  lower  leaves  with  large  stipules  and 
shorter  petioles,  up'per  leaves  sessile,  simple,  similar 
to  the  folioles  of  the  lower  leaves,  which  are  oval,  or 
oval- lanceolate,  or  lanceolate,  base  acute,  and  acumi- 
nate, border  deeply  and  unequally  serrate :  stipules 
large,  broad,  sessile,  ovate  or  rounded,  serrate  or  near- 
ly entire. 

Flowers  terminal,  white,  few,  on  erect  peduncles. 
Calix  spreading,  ten  cleft,  segments  lanceolate,  acute, 
five  alternate  smaller.  Five  yellowish  white  petals, 
opposite  to  the  short  segments,  shorter  than  the  longest, 
and  inserted  on  the  base  of  the  calix,  oboval,  entire, 
flat.  Stamina  many,  short,  unequal,  perigynous ;  fila- 
ments filiform,  anthers  roundish  and  yellow.  Pistils 
many,  conglomerate,  oval,  styles  long,  hairy,  stigma 
hooked.  Fruit  a  small  burr  or  round  cluster  of  achenes 
or  single  seeds,  oval,  brown,  smooth,  having  a  long 
tail  or  awn,  formed  by  the  persistent  styles,  filiform, 
hairy,  t^visted  and  uncinate  at  the  top. 

Locality — Common  from  Maine  to  Carolina  and 
Kentucky,  in  woods,  groves,  thickets,  hills,  &c. 

HISTORY — An  estival  plant  blossoming  in  June 
and  July,  the  flowers  resemble  those  of  Strawberries, 
but  are  smaller;  a  variety  has  them  yellowish.  The 
varieties  are  1.  Uiii flora,  2.  Macrophylla,  S.  Lan- 
ceolata,  4.  Ochroleuca,  5.  JRamosa,  &c. 

The  Geum  rivale  or  water  Avens,  a  boreal  plant, 
spread  from  New  England  to  Canada  in  damp  places, 
is  more  commonly  employed  in  the  north,  and  this 
species  in  the  south ;  they  are  both  equivalents. 

Geum  belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Senticoses 

T  2 


aSTTM.  No.  43, 


near  Dryas,  Dalibarda  and  Stylypus,  and  to  Ico- 
sandria  polygynia  of  Linnaeus.    * 

Qualities — The  whole  plant  is  available,  but  the 
root  is  principally  used,  it  has  a  bitterish  astringent 
taste,  and  a  pleasant  smell,'somewhat  like  cloves,  only 
perceptible  in  the  spring,  when  it  must  be  collected 
for  use.  It  contains  resin,  gum,  tannin,  extractive, 
mucilage,  fibrine,  a  volatile  oil,  &c.  The  Geiim  xir- 
banum,  a  consimilar  and  equivalent  species,  has  been 
found  to  contain  out  of  two  ounces,  496  grains  of  lig- 
nine,  118  of  tannin,  181  extractive,  61  of  saline  and 
soapy  matter,  92  of  mucilage,  23  of  resin,  76  of  oil 
and  water.  -  It  yields  these  principles  to  water  and 
alcohol,  and  dies  them  red ;  the  alcoholic  preparations 
are  scented,  the  watery  scentless  and  merely  astrin- 
gent. 

PROPERTIES— All  the  Avens  have  nearly  the 
same  properties,  they  are  astringent,  styptic,  tonic, 
febrifuge,  stomachic,  &c.  They  are  much ^ used  in 
the  Northern  States  and  Canada.  In  Connecticut 
they  supersede  the  Chincona ;  but  they  are  weaker, 
although  less  stimulant,  in  fevers.  They  do  not  in- 
crease excitement  and  are  therefore  useful  in  hemop- 
tysis and  Phthisis.  They  are  decidedly  excellent  in 
dyspepsia  and  visceral  affections ;  Ives  states  that  its 
long  use,  restores  to  health  the  most  shattered  and 
enfeebled  constitutions.  They  are  often  used  in  de- 
coction with  sugar  and  milk,  like  chocolate  or  coffee, 
to  which  they  resemble  :  and  also  for  dysentery,  chro- 
nic diarrhea,  colics,  debility,  asthma,  sorethroat,  leu- 
corhea,  uterine  hemorrhagy.     They  are  the  base  of 


No.  43.  6EUM.  2^3 

the  Indian  Chocolate  of  Empirics.  The  doses  are  a 
daily  pint  of  the  weak  decoction,  or  about  60  grains 
of  the  powder  daily,  divided  into  three  doses :  this 
powder  may  be  mixed  with  honey.  A  table-spoonful 
of  the  tincture  is  also  given  in  some  cases.  These 
roots  are  sometimes  put  in  Ale,  as  stomachics. 

Substitutes — Gei^anium  maculatum  and  all  the 
plants  mentioned  as  equivalent  to  it ;  the  Geum  rivale 
and  6r.  urbanum,  also  the  Stylypus  Vernus, 

Remarks — The  E,  urhanuin  does  not  grow  in 
America,  although  indicated  by  some.  The  G,  rivale 
of  America  is  a  peculiar  variety.  It  will  be  known 
from  this,  by  its  locality  in  the  north,  near  waters, 
the  radical  leaves  pinnate,  cauline  three  cleft,  and 
large  purplish  nodding  flowers.  It  is  said  to  be  more 
efficient  than  this  kind. 

My  Stylypus  vermis  is  a  new  annual  plant,  grow- 
ing only  in  the  Western  States,  from  Ohio  to  Ten- 
nessee, in  woods,  and  bears  small  yellow  blossoms  in 
March  and  April.  It  has  the  properties  of  this  plant 
and  Agrimony.  The  generic  and  specific  character 
are  as  follows, 

G.  Stylypus.  Calix  persistent,  campanulate,  five 
cleft,  segments  reflexed.  Five  small  petals  and  many 
Stamina  inserted  on  the  top  of  the  calix.  Many 
Pistils  in  a  head  borne  by  a  cylindrical  gynophore. 
Several  Seeds  or  Achenes,  with  persistent  smooth 
Styles. — Stylypus  vernus  Annual,  many  decum- 
bent Stems,  leaves  int^rupted  pinnate,  folioles  laci- 
niated,  upper  leaves  simple  jagged :  flowers  terminal, 
few,  peduncled. 


^M  6ZLZ.EKZA.  No.  44. 

No.  44. 

GILLENIA   STIPULACEA. 

English  Name— WESTERN  DROPWORT. 

French  Name — Gillenia  occidentale, 

German  Name— Gillenwurzel. 

Officinal  Name — Gillenia  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Indian  Physic,  Indian  hippo, 
Ipecac,  Beaumont  root,  Bowman's  root.  Meadow 
sweet,  &c. 

Synonyms — Spirea  trifoliata  Var.  Auct. 

Authorities — Pursh,  Wildenow,  Schoepf,  Thatch- 
er, Coxe,  Duncan,  Nuttal,  Moench,  Eberle,  A.  Ives, 
Baum,  W.  Bart.  fig.  6,  &c. 


Genus  Gillenia — Calix  campanulate  5  cleft.  Five 
narrow  unequal  petals  inserted  on  the  calyx.  Many 
short  Stamina  inserted  there  also.  Five  coherent 
pistils,  five  Styles,  Capsules  five  connate  at  the  base, 
opening  inside,  unilocular,  two  seeded. 

Species  G.  Stipulacea — Lower  leaves  pinnatifid, 
upper  leaves  trifoliolate,  folioles  lanceolate  [incise 
serrate ;  stipules  foliaceous,  ovate,  oblique,  jagged  : 
flowers  loosely  corymbose. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  dark  brown, 
amorphous,  with  large  and  long  fleshy  fibres.  Several 
Stems  from  two  to  three  feet  high,  slender,  smooth, 
brittle,  reddish,  branched.  Leaves  large,  alternate, 
sessile,    with  three  folioles  and  two  large  stipules; 


No.  44. 

GILLENIA  STIPULACEA 


4fti 


WESTERnr  DROPWORT. 


No.  U.  6II.X.ENIA.  gS5 

these  last  are  oblique,  ovate,  irregularly  jagged,  acute. 
Folioles  smooth,  lanceolate,  acute  at  both  ends,  with 
a  large  nerve,  border  unequally  serrate  or  jagged,  and 
in  the  lower  leaves  often  pinnatif. — Flowers  in  loose 
thin  terminal  corymbs,  peduncles  clingated,  calix 
campanulate  with  five  teeth;  petals  white,  three  times 
as  long,  linear  lanceolate,  a  little  unequal,  base  cunei- 
forrrt,  and  nearly  obtuse.  Stamina  short,  inclosed, 
anthers  round  yellow.  Pistil  central  free,  five  parted, 
five  filiform  Styles,  five  obtuse  stigmas,  five  connected 
Capsuls,  &c.  &c. 

Locality — Found  only  West  of  the  Alleghany 
mountains,  from  Ohio  and  West  Virginia  to  Missouri 
and  Louisiana  ;  rare  in  the  limestone  and  alluvial  re- 
gions, very  common  in  the  hilly  and  sand-stone  re- 
gions, growing  always  in  poor  or  gravelly  soils,  both 
in  woods  and  glades. 

HISTORY — This  genus  contains  two  species,  this 
and  G.  tr'ifoliata,  which  .has  similar  properties,  and 
will  be  known  by  its  locality,  growing  on  the  moun- 
tains Alleghany,  or  north,  east  and  south  of  them  from 
Canada  to  Florida,  but  never  west  of  them.  It  is  a 
larger  plant,  with  broader  folioles,  small  linear  sti- 
pules and  fewer  flowers,  but  larger.  It  has  been  figur- 
ed by  Barton  and  Bigelow,  but  resembles  this  so 
much  as  not  to  need  it. 

Both  blossom  in  June  and  July,  and  are  pretty 
plants,  worth  cultivation.  They  had  formerly  been 
united  to  Spirea,  Filipendulaf  and  Ubnaria,  Moench 
proposed  long  ago  the  genus  Gillenia,  but  it  was  only 
lately  adopted.     It  belongs  to  the  Natural  Order  of 


n^Q  6II.X.ENZA.  No.  U. 

Senticoses,  family  Spireadia,  and  to  Icosandria 
pentagynia.  The  G.  Stipulacea  was  only  lately  des- 
cribed. It  offers  many  varieties,  1.  Unijlora,  2.  Pin- 
natijida,  3.  Virgata,  4.  F'ariegata,  &c.  Cattle  do 
not  eat  it. 

Qualities — Roots  scentless,  taste  bitter  but  not 
unpleasant.  Containing  a  resin,  extractive,  lignine, 
fecula,  amarine,  and  a  coloring  matter,  which  <lies 
the  solutions  red. 

PROPERTIES — Both  species  are  emetic,  cathar- 
tic, and  tonic;  but  the  G,  stipulacea  is  by  far  the 
best  and  strongest.  It  has  even  happened  that  the 
G.  trifoliata  has  proved  inert,  in  some  cases,  when 
old,  or  taken  from  cultivated  plants :  while  the  6?. 
stipulacea  has  never  failed,  and  supersedes'the  Ipecac 
in  common  practice  throughout  the  West.  It  is  as 
mild  and  efficient,  milder  than  the  Euphorbia  corol- 
lata.  The  roots  are  collected  in  the  fall,  and  kept 
in  many  stores :  the  bark  of  the  root  is  chiefly  used, 
but  the  woody  part  is  not  inert  as  supposed.  The 
dose  is  from  15  to  30  grains  of  the  powder.  It  ope- 
rates often  also  as  a  cathartic.  In  small  doses  it  be- 
comes a  tonic,  and  is  used  in  intermittents.  The  In- 
dians employed  it,  and  took  larger  doses  or  strong 
decoctions  of  it,  which  operated  violently ;  this  prac- 
tice is  yet  followed  and  brings  on  debility :  Eberle 
has  successfully  used  the  G.  trifoliata  in  dyspepsia, 
also  in  dysentery  with  opium.  It  is  given  in  decoc- 
tion to  horses  and  cattle  as  a  tonic  and  digestive. 

Substitutes — Euphorbia  Sp, Sanguinaria-^ 

Ipecacuana  and  all  the  mild  Emetics. 


No.  45. 

HAMAMELIS  VIRGINIANA. 


WUVTER  WITCH-HAZEK. 


No.  45.  HAMAMELIS.  2^7 

No.  45. 

HAMAMELIS  VIRGIN  IC A. 

English  Name— WINTER  WITCH  HAZEL. 

French  Name — Hamamelier  d'hyver. 

German  Name — Hexehasel. 

Officinal  Name — Hamamelis  Cortex. 
'   VuL'GAR  Names — Witch   hazel,  Snapping   hazel- 
nut, Winter  bloom,  Pistachoe  nut,  &c. 

AtJTHORiTiEs — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Cutler,  Schoepf, 
Mitchell,  Golden,  Catesby,  fig.  2.  Barton  Flora,  fig. 
78,  Elliott,  &c. 

Genus  Hamamelis — Calix  four  cleft,  persistent, 
with  scales  at  the  base.  Petals  four  long  and  linear. 
Stamina  four  opposite  to  the  petals.  Filaments  broad 
and  short,  anthers  adnate,  two  celled,  dehiscent  by 
vertical  valves,  one  pistil,  two  stigmas.  Capsule  coria- 
ceous nut-like,  two  celled,  two  lobed,  two  valved 
above,  valves  cleft :  one  oblong  seed  in  each  cell. 

Species  St.  Virginica — Leaves  obovate,  obtuse, 
smooth,  base  obliquely  cordate,  margin  erose;  flow- 
ers in  small  remote  clusters,  calix  and  fruit  pubescent 
externally. 

DESCRIPTION— A  shrub  from  six  to  ten  feet 
high,  with  irregular  branches,  flexuose  and  knotty  : 
bark  smooth  grey,  with  brown  dots.  Leaves  rather 
large,  smooth,  alternate,  petiolate,  obovate,  base  with 
a  small  sinus  and  unequal  lobes,  margin  with  unequal 


2^  HAIMtAMEZiXS.  No.  45. 

faint  teeth,  commonly  obtuse,  end  obtuse,  nerves  pro- 
minent. 

Flowers  on  short  pedicels,  clustered  three  to  five 
together,  in  several  places  along  the  branches.  Calix 
small,  but  enlarging  with  the  fruit,  with  three  or 
four  scales  at  the  base,  divided  into  four  thick  oval 
pubescent  segments.  Petals  yellow,  much  longer, 
linear,  obtuse,  often  undulate  or  revolute.  Stamina 
four  opposed  to  petals,  shorter  than  the  calix.  Pistil 
oval  central,  a  short  style,  two  stigmas  obtuse.  Fruit  a 
nut-like  Capsule,  similar  to  a  hazel-nut ;  but  bilobed 
and  split  above,  pubescent,  yellowish,  with  two  cells 
containing  each  an  oblong  black  seed,  with  a  broad 
arilla  at  the  base.  This  capsule  is  one  year  ripening, 
and  opens  with  elasticity  and  instantaneously  with  a 
noise,  by  two  half  valves,  throwing  the  seeds  off. 

Locality — From  New  England  to  Carolina  and 
Ohio,  commonly  on  hills  and  mountains,  near  stony 
banks  of  streams.   Rare  in  plains  and  alluvions. 

HISTORY — This  is  a  very  singular  Genus,  formed 
by  Linnaeus  with  the  Trilopus  of  Mitchell,  which 
name  he  ought  not  to  have  changed  for  the  actual, 
which  is  the  Greek  name  of  the  Mespilus  or  Medlar 
tree.  He  knew  only  one  species,  several  are  now 
known,  which  are  sometimes  polygamous,  monoical 
and  even  dioical.  They  all  blossom  in  winter,  when 
no  other  tree  is  in  bloom  ;  the  blossoms  last  from  Oc- 
tober to  February.  The  fruits  stand  on  the  whole 
year,  till  next  fall,  and  then  explode  successively 
with  a  noise,  like  Hura  crepitans^  scattering  the 
seeds  around.     These  seeds  are  eaten  by  the  Indians, 


No.  45.  HAMAIVI2L2S.  g'oq 

and  in  the  South  where  they  are  called  erroneously 
Pistachoe  nuts,  although  quite  unlike  the  Pistacia 
vera  or  true  Pistachoe  of  the  Mediterranean.'  They 
are  similar  in  shape  to  the  esculent  Pine  seeds  of 
Finns picea,  cylindrical,  shining  black  outside,  white 
and  farinaceous  inside,  rather  oily  and  palatable. 

The  shrub  resembles  very  much  in  the  appearance 
of  the  leaves  and  nuts,  the  common  hazelnut,  Cory- 
luS  Americana  ;  but  the  blossoms  are  totally  different. 
It  has  become  in  the  United  States  the  Witch  hazel, 
affording  the  divining  rods,  employe'd  by  the  adepts 
of  the  occult  arts,  to  find  or  preteifd  to  find  Water, 
Ores,  Salt,  &c.  unuer  ground.  The  Alnus  and  Cory' 
lus  are  often  substituted,  a'forked  branch  is  used,  the 
two  branches  held  in  both  hands;  when  and  where 
the  point  drops,  the  springs  or  metals  sought  for,  are 
said  to  be!  A  belief  in  this  vain  practice  is  as  yet 
widely  spread. 

It  belongs  to  tiie  Natural  Order  of  Berberides, 
distinguished  by  opposite  petals  and  stamina,  and  to 
the  section  or  family  with  capsular  fruit  like  Jcffer- 
sunia.     Also  to  Tetrandrta  monogyiiia  of  Linnans. 

Qualities — The  bark  and  leaves  are  somewhat 
bitter,  very  astringent,  leaving  a  sweetish  pungent 
taste:  The  smell  is  not  unpleasant.  It  has  not  been 
analyzed  as  yet,  but  probably  contains  tannin,  ama- 
rine,  extractive,  and  an  essential  oil. 

PROPERTIES — Sedative,  astringent,  tonic,  dis- 
cutient,  &c.  The  Indians  value  this  shrub  highly, 
and  it  is  much  used  in  the  North  by  herbalists.  The 
bark  affords  an  excellent  topical  application  for  paii> 

u 


,^30  HAMAMSLIS.  No.  45. 

ful  tumors  and  piles,  external  inflammations,  sore  and 
inflamed  eyes,  &c.  in  cataplasm  or  poultice  or  wash. 
A  tea  is  made  with  the  leaves,  and  employed  for 
many  purposes,  in  amenorrhea,  bowel  complaints, 
pains  in  the  sides,  menstrual  effusions,  bleeding  of 
the  stomach,  &c.  In  this  last  case,  the  chewed  leaves, 
decoction  of  the  bark  or  tea  of  the  leaves,  are  all  em- 
ployed with  great  advantage.  A  strong  infusion  is 
given  in  injection  for  bowel  complaints.  It  is  said- to 
be  a  mild  yet  efficient  astringent  in  all  cases,  and  a 
safe  substitute  of  Statice,  Myrica  and  Ruhus, 

Substitutes — *Conmm  viaculatiitn —  Vlhirmivi 
ctcerifolium  and  V.  dentatutn — Nymphea  odor^ata 
Myrica  ccrifera — Jlgrimdnia  Enpatorium — Geiini 
g.p^ — Rhus  typhinum  and  R.  glcibritTn — Statice  Ca- 
rolinm^ia  and  many  other  mild  astringents. 

Remarks — All  tbe  species  of  this  genus  have  pro- 
bably the  same  properties.  In  the  north  the  H.  par- 
vlfolia  is  equally  used.  It  is  distinguished  by  smaller 
leaves,  pubescent  beneath,  hardly  cordate  at  the 
base,  undulate  and  sinuate.  The  shrub  is  smaller, 
with  blossoms  of  a  brighter  yellow,  and  grows  in 
mountains. 

The  H.  macrophijlla  or  Bigleiif  Witch  hazel,  is 
only  found  in  the  Southern  mountains,  and  will  be 
knovs-n  by  its  large,  rough  and  round  leaves. 


No.  46. 

HEDEOMA  PULEGIOIDES 


AMERICAMT  PENNYROYAL. 


No.  46.  HEBEOll^A.  231 

No.  46. 

IIEPEOMA  PULEGIOIDES. 

English  Name— AMERICAN  PENNYROYAL. 

French  Name — Hedeome  Pouliot. 

German  Name — Poleyblattrige. 

Officinal  Name — Hedeoma  herba. 

"N'ulgar  Names — Pennyroyal,  Tickwecd,  Stink- 
ing Balm,  Squaw-mint,  &c. 

Synonyms — Melissa  pidegioides  Lin.  Cu7iila  jju- 
Icgioides  Lin.  and  many  botanists. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh,  Persoon,.KaIm, 
S^choepf,  Thacher,  Cullcn,  Big.  scq.,  Duncan,  Eberle, 
Zollickoffer,  Chapman,  Elliott,  B.  Barton,  W.  Bar- 
ton, M.  M.  fjg.  41. 


Genus  Hedeoma — Calix  bilabiate,  ten  striated,  base 
gibbose,  upper  lip  trifid,  lower  with  two  subulate 
teeth  and  ciliated  bristles,  corolla  bilabiate,  upper  lip 
nearly  entire,  lower  trilobe,  middle  lobe  obcordate. 
Two  fertile  stamina  as  long  as  the  corolla,  two  sterile 
and  short.     One  style,  four  seeds. 

Species  H. -pulegioides — Annual,  leaves  sub])e- 
tiolate,  oblong,  acute,  subserrate,  a  little  rough. 
Flowers  axillary,  verticillate  by  six,  on  short  pedi- 
cels, with  two  small  bracteoles. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  annual,  small,  ycllowii^h, 
branched  fibrose.  Stem  upriglU,  about  a  foot  high, 
with  slender  erect-branches,  terete,  pubescent.   Leaves 


233  HSDEOMA.  No.  46. 


opposite,  small,  oblong  lanceolate  or  suboval,  on  short 
petioles,  base  attenuated,  end  subacute,  margin  with 
small  remote  serratures,  surface  rough  or  pubescent, 
nerved  and  pale  beneath. 

Flowers  all  along  the  branches  in  axillary  whorls 
of  six,  nodding,  on  short  pedicels,  very  small.  Calix 
as  above,  pubescent.  Corolla  very  small,  hardly 
longer,  white,  with  the  lips  purple,  base  slender,  then 
campanulate  with  two  small  lips,  the  upper  rounded, 
seldom  notched,  the  lower  with  two  rounded  lateral 
lobes,  and  an  obcordate  middle  lobe.  Stamina  and 
style  filiform,  anthers  oblong.  Stigma  lateral  acute. 
Fruit  four  small  oblong  seeds  in  the  persistent  calix, 
mouth  closed  by  the  ciliated  bristles  of  the  lower  lip. 

Locality — Very  common  and  abundant  all  over 
the  United  States,  and  in  Canada,  in  dry  woods  and 
hills  chiefly,  but  also  in  plains,  alluvions,  roads,  stony 
fields.  Never  in  moist  soils.  No  where  more  abun- 
dant than  in  lime  soils  or  arid  grounds. 

HISTORY — IL  was  the  fate  of  this  plant  to  be  suc- 
cessively united  by  Linnaeus  and  other  botanists  to 
Melissa  and  Cunila,  until  distinguished  and  named 
fey  Persoon,  and  it  is  as  yet  commonly  blended,  even 
by  medical  writers,  with  the  European  Pennyroyal 
or  Mentha  jmlegium^  which  does  not  grow  in  Ame- 
rica; the  shape,  smell,  and  properties  being  somewhat 
similar,  whence  the  same  vulgar  name;  but  our  plant 
appears  to  be  more  efficient. 

It  belongs  to  the  natural  order  of  Labiate,  and  to 
Diandria  monogynia  of  Linnaeus.  It  blossoms  in 
summer  from  July  to  September.  •  The  name  of  lie- 


No.  46.  HSDEOMA.  ^33 


deoma  means  sweet  smelling  in  Greek;  the  whoie 
])lant  is  scented ;  but  the  smell  far  from  agreeable, 
being  strong  and  graveolent:  many  persons,  however, 
like  it  and  call  it  pungent,* reviving  and  pleasant: 
females  are  sometimes  fo'nd  of  it  as  well  as  of  Rue  or 
Ricta  graveolens,  although  both  very  graveolent. 

Qualities — The  smell  and  taste  are  very  warm, 
pungent,  strong,  and  hardly  aromatic,  but  pleasant  or 
disagreeable  according  to  different  personal  affections. 
The  medical  principle  resides  in  an  essential  oil,  pos- 
sessing eminently  the  same  smell  and  taste. 

PROPERTIES — Carminative,  resolvent,  pectoral, 
diaphoretic,  antispasmodic,  menagogue,pellent,  stimu- 
lant, &:c.  It  is  a  popular  remedj^  throughout  the  coun- 
try for  female  complaints,  suppressed  menstruations, 
hysterics,  &c.  It  is  chiefly  beneficial  in  obstructed 
catamenia,  and  recent  cases  of  suppressions,  given  as 
a  sweetened  tea,  with  the  pediluvium.  Eberle,  how- 
ever, deems  its  menagogue  property  problematical, 
and  useful  only  as  a  vehicle  for  other- remedies:  that 
he  is  mistaken,  is  proved  Ijy  daily  experience.  It 
promotes  expectoration  in  the  whooping  cough,  it  al- 
leviates spasms,  pains  in  the  hips,  and  the  spasmodic 
or  dyspeptic  symptoms  of  menstruation.  Schoepf 
mentions  it  for  palpitations,  fevers  and  gout;  but  it  is 
too  stimulant  in  fevers.  A  warm  cataplasm  of  the 
herb  is  useful  in  severe  pains,  and  thrilling  palpita- 
tions. Zollickoffer  says  that  it  is  a  valuable  medicine 
in  some  cases  of  diarrhea,  but  which  ?  Some  herbalists 
in  the  north,  employ  it  extensively  for  colds,  cholics 
of  children,  to  remove  obstruction,  warm  the  stomach 

u2 


23 1  HEDEOMA.  No.  46. 

and  promote  perspiration.  Although  it  affords  one  of 
the  most  popular  graveolent  tea,  there  are  many  other 
labiate  plants  which  are  equivalent  to  it  and  more 
agreeable  withal:  the  be^t  are  Mint,  Dittany,  Balms, 
Sage,  Monarda,  Isanthus,  &c.  The  oil  is  now  kept 
in  pharmacies,  and  often  used  instead  of  the  infusion, 
in  mixtures,  &:c. 

Substitutes — Monarda  Sp. — Mentha  pulegium 
and  M,  piperita — Cunila  mariana — Isanthus  ceru- 
teiis — Riita  graveolens — Salvia  officinalis — Melissa 
nepeta — Jiiniperus  Sp. — Rosmarinus  officinalis — 
Rnhia  tinctoria — Poly  gala  senega,  &c. 

Remarks — This  plant  is  also  frequently  used  to 
kill  the  Ticks,  [Ixodes)  which  attach  themselves  to 
men,  dogs  and  cattle,  in  summer.  These  troublesome 
animals  are  found  wherever  the  Hedysarums  and  Le- 
spedezas  or  true  Tickweeds  grow,  upon  which  they 
breed,  but  both  are  unknown  in  the  limestone  plains. 
By  rubbing  the  legs  or  boots  with  this  plant  or  its  oil, 
these  insects  will  avoid  you,  or  if  they  have  taken 
hold,  the  oil  kills  them.*  A  strong  decoction  of  the 
plant  is  equally  convenient,  and  a  strong  decoction  of 
Tobacco  as  good  likewise. 


HELENIUM   AUTUMNALE. 


coMnxonr  snteezewort. 


No.  47.  HSLEinUM.  235 

No.*  47. 

HELENIUM   AUTUMNALE. 

English  Name— COMMON  SNEEZEWORT. 

French  Name — Helenie  d'automne. 

German  Name — Niessenkraut. 

Officinal  Name — Helenium. 

Vulgar  Names — Sneezeweed,  Sneezewort,  Swamp 
Sunflower,  False  Sunflower,  Yellow  Star,  Oxeye. 

Authorities — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh.  Torrey,  Elli- 
ott, Cornut,  Clayton,  Schoepf,  B.  Barton,  W.  Bart, 
ft.  fig.  26,  Duncan,  &c. 


Genus  Helenium — Perianthe  many  parted,  seg- 
ments linear.  Flowers  radiate,  rays  cuneate  trilobe, 
styliferous,  from  15  to  30.  Phoranthe  hemispherical, 
naked,  chaffy  on  the  margin.  Florets  complete,  four 
or  five  cleft.  Pappus  with  five  chaffs.   Seeds  hairy. 

Species  H.  autumnale — Pubescent,  Stem  corym- 
bose above,  winged :  leaves  lanceolate,  serrate,  de- 
current:  peduncles  thicker  above,  rays  flat,  florets 
five  cleft. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  fibrous.  Seve- 
ral Stems  from  three  to  seven  feet  high,  erect,  angu- 
lar, winged  by  the  decurrent  leaves,  branched  and  co- 
rymbose above:  covered  as  well  as  the  leaves  with  a 
very  short  and  dense  pubescence.  Leaves  glaucous, 
alternate,  sessile,  decurrent,  lanceolate,  acuminate, 
'unequally  serrate,  dotted  by  small  pits,  subtrinervate. 


236  IIELEN3UM.  No.  47. 

Flowers  corymbose,  golden  yellow,  large,  one  or  two 
inches  in  diameter.  Peduncles  axillary,  uniflore, 
with  one  oval  lanceolate  bract,  clavatc  or  thicker 
upwards.  Perianthe  with  many  unequal  linear  acAte 
segments.  Phoranthe  semiglobose,  with  chaffs  near 
the  rays,  lanceolate.  Rays  from  five  to  twenty, 
spreading  flat,  or  sometimes  rather  rcflexed,  shape 
cuneate,  end  broad  trilobe,  middle  lobe  often  smaller. 
Disk  greenish  yellow  convex,  florets  small  crowded 
five  cleft,  with  syngenesious  stamina,  a  bifid  style, 
oblong  germ,  pappus  formed  by  three  to  five  chaffs 
subulate  anji  awned. 

Locality — It  grows  all  over  the  United  States, 
and  from  Canada  to  Texas  and  Florida,  in  wet  mea- 
dows, and  Savannas,  damp  fields,  overflowed  grounds, 
banks  of  streams,  &c. 

HISTORY — Linnaeus  has  employed  the  specific 
name  of  the  Inula  heleniuTn  or  Elecampane  as  a 
generic  one  in  this  instance,  owing  to  a  faint  resem- 
blance. The  Helenium  was  said  by  the  Greeks  to 
have  sprung  from  the  -tears  of  the  fair  Helen.  This 
was  once  a  unique  species,  but  now  several  others  are 
added,  which  grow  in  the  Southern  States.  It  be- 
longs to  the  great  Order  of  Radiate,  where  it  is  the 
type  of  a  small  family  the  Helenides  :  Linnaeus  puts 
it  in  his  Syngenesia  swperjlua. 

It  is  a  fine  plant,  rather  ornamental,  and  adorning 
in  the  fall  the  meadows  with  its  golden  blossoms,  ap- 
pearing from  September  to  November.  The  Cattle 
do  not  touch  it.  The  varieties  are  1.  Villosa,  2.  Pu- 
mila,  3.  Prealta,  &c. 


No.  47.  HSLENIUai.  237 


Qualities — The  plant  has  hardly  any  smell :  the 
taste  is  bitter,  and  a  little  pungent  or  even  acrid.  It 
has  not  been  analyzed  ;  but  contains  amarine,  extrac- 
tive and  an  oil. 

PROPERTIES— Tonic,  febrifuge,  errhine.  Clay- 
ton and  Schoepf  mention  its  use  in  intermittents ;  but 
it  is  not  extensively  employed  as  yet  in  fevers  :  while 
it  is  known  and  employed  all  over  the  country  as  a 
valuable  Errhine.  The  whole  plant  reduced  to  pow- 
der act  as  such  ;  but  the  flowers  and  particularly  the 
central  florets  are  powerful  sternutatory.  A  very 
small  pinch  of  their  powder  produces  a  lasting  sneez- 
ing. The  late  B.  Barton  has  eminently  extolled  it, 
as  a  substitute  to  more  acrid  Errhines,  either  alone 
or  united  to  other  ingredients.  It  may  be  used  in 
diseases  of  the  head,  deafness,  anavrosis,  head-ache, 
hemicrania,  rheumatism  or  congestions  in  the  head 
and  jaws,  &c.  The  shocks  of  sneezing  are  often  use- 
ful in  those  cases,  when  other  remedies  can  hardly 
avail.  This  plant  has  probably  many  other  proper- 
ties, little  known  as  yet,  and  deserving  investigation. 

Substitutes — As  a  tonic  Chelone  gluhra,  and 
other  herbaceous  tonics.  As  an  errhine,  Asarum 
Caiiadense,  Sunguinaria  ca7iadensis,  Myrica  ceri- 
Jera,  Tobacco  and  Cephalic  Snuffs.  Besides  the 
Helenhun  quadridentatum  of  Louisiana  and  Florida, 
which  will  be  known  by  its  lower  leaves  pinnatifid, 
upper, entire,  and  the  florets  quadrifid  or  four  cleft. 


f) 


38  HEPATSOA.  No.  48. 


No.  48. 

HEFATICA  TRILOBA. 

English  Name— COMMON  LIVERWORT. 
.  French  Name — Hepatique  teilobe. 

German  Name — Leberkraut. 

Officinal  Name — Hepatica. 

Vulgar  Names — Liverweed,  Trefoil,  Noble  Li- 
verwort. 

Synonym — Jlnemone  hepatica  Linn.  &:c. 

Authorities — Linn.     Schoepf,    Pursh,    Torrcy, 
Eaton,  Hereford,  &c. 


Genus  Hepatica — Involucre  caliciform,  near  the 
flower,  persistent,  three  parted.  Perigone  corolliform, 
with  six  to  nine  oblong  petals.  Many  short  Stamina. 
Many  pistils,  Styles  short.  Seeds  awnless  achenes. 

Species  H.  triloba — Leaves  radical,  cordate,  three 
lobed,  lobes  entire,  petioles  and  scapes  equal  in  length 
and  hairy,  scapes  uniflora,  flowers  drooping  before  the 
anthesis  and  pilose. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial,  fibrose,  fibres 
long  fasciculate,  brown.  Leaves  all  radical,  on  long 
hairy  petioles,  somewhat  leathery  and  partly  persis- 
tent in  winter,  base  cordate,  divided  into  three  equal 
entire  lobes,  rounded,  obtuse  or  acute,  with  obtuse 
or  acute  sinuses,  nearly  smooth,  mottled  of  olivaceous 
and  purplish  above,  glaucous  and  purplish  beneath. 
Several  scapes  equal  in  length  to  the  petiols,  upright. 


i\X  48. 

HEPATICA   TRILOBA 


(I 


f%d 


\ 


/( 


coiMExaonr  lxvsrwort. 


No.  48.  HEPATICA.  §39 

1 .  ■      ■-  ■  • 

four  to  eight  inches  long,  invested  at  the  base  with 
several  membranaceous  sheaths,  hairy,  round,  bear- 
ing a  single  flower. 

Flowers  terminal,  drooping  at  first,  spreading  when 
unfolded.  Involucre  resembling  a  calix,  very  hairy, 
hairs  grey  and  long,  segments  very  deep,  oval,  entire, 
obtuse.  Perigone  like  a  Corolla  bluish,  purplish  or 
white,  sepals  elliptic  obtuse,  equal,  but  in  two  or 
three  series.  Filaments  subulate,  anthers  elliptic, 
pale  yellow.     Pistils  and  seeds  oval,  acute. 

Locality — A  boreal  plant,  native  of  the  northern 
parts  of  Europe,  Asia  and  America,  spreading  in  this 
last  continent  from  Labrador  to  Virginia  and  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  common  in  woods,  hills  and  moun- 
tains of  the  United  States  from  New  England  to 
Kentucky. 

HISTORY — A  pretty  vernal  plant,  the  leaves  stand 
the  winter,  and  early  in  the  spring  the  flowers  come 
out,  even  when  snow"  is  yet  falling:  thej  last  from 
jNIarch  to  May,  are  rather  pretty  and  deserving  culti- 
vation. The  varieties  are  1.  Jllhijiora.  2.  Jlcutiloha, 
5.  Parvijloray  flowers  half  the  usual  size  and  blue. 
In  Kentucky,  perhaps  a  peculiar  species. 

Tournefort  established  this  genus,  Linnceus  wrongly 
blended  it  with  Anemone,  it  has  again  been  sepa- 
rated lately.  The  name  derives  from  its  hepatic  pro- 
perties. It  belongs  to  the  Natural  Order  of  Adnates 
or  Ranunculaceous,  and  to  Poly andria  poly gynia. 

Qualities — Scentless  and  nearly  insipid,  not  bitter; 
but  a  little  astringent  and  mucilaginous.  It  contains 
-tannin,  mucilage,  extractive,  &e. 


240  KSPATICA.  No.  4S. 

PROPERTIES — Subtonic,  subastrlngent,  hepatic, 
deobstruent,   pectoral,  demulcent.     It  was  kno"" 
the  ancients  as  a  medical  plant,  and  Linnseus  has  it  in 
his  Materia  Medica;  but  it  had  fallen  into  disuse,  its 
properties  being  very  mild.     It  was  formerly  used  in 
fevers,  liver  complaints,  indigestion,  cachexy,  hypo- 
chondria and  hernia.     It  lias  lately  been  brought  to 
notice  in  America  for  hemoptysis  and  coughs,  it  has 
been   used   in  Virginia  with  benefit   in  the  form  of 
a  strons:  infusion,  drunk  cold.      It  may  be  serviceable 
in  hepatisis  and  hepatic  phthisis,  as  well  as  all   com- 
plaints arising  from  dyspepsic  and  hypochondr?'^  -ffec-' 
tions ;  it  may  be  used  as  a  tea,  warm  or  cold  and  ad- 
libitum  ;  but  it  has  no  effect  on  the  lungs  beyond  that 
of  a  mild  demulcent  astringent. 

Substitutes — Jigrimonia — Oeum  Sp. — Lijcopus 
Virginicus—  Tussilago — Symphytuni  — Leoiitodon 
tariixaciun  or  Dandelion, — Sisyrnhi^ium  or  Water 
Cresses,  6cc. 


No.  49. 

HEUGHERA  ACEBIFOLIA. 


MAPLEUBAr  AXiViaROOT. 


No.  49.  HEUCHERA.  ^H 


No.  49. 

HEUCHERA  ACERIFOLIA. 

English  Name— MAPLELEAF  ALUMROOT. 

French  Name — Heuchere  Erable. 

German  Name — Ai/Aunwurzel. 

Officinal  Name — Heuchera  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Alumroot,  Sanicle,  Ground 
Maple,  Cliffweed,  Split-rock,  &c. 

Authorities  for  the  Genus — Lin.  Mich.  Pursh, 
Nuttal,  Eaton,  Torrey,  Elliott,  Dispens.  Murray, 
Stokes,  B.  Barton,  W.  Barton,  Bigelow  seq.,  Zol- 
lickoiler,  Coxe,  &c: 


Genus  Heuchera — Calix  persistent,  campanulate, 
live  cleft.  Five  entire  equal  lanceolate  petals  inserted 
on  the  calix.  Five  stamina  inserted  on  the  calix. 
Pistil  central,* free,  round,  cleft,  two  styles.  Capsule 
bifid,  bilocular,  many  seeded.  Leaves  radical,  cor- 
date  and  jagged,  loith  radiatim^  ntrvcs,  scape  ivith 
a  terminal  panicle  of  flowers. 

Species  H.  Acerifolia — Petioles  hirsute,  leaves 
smooth,  glaucous  beneath,  acutely  five  cleft,  unequally 
toothed,  teeth  mucronate  :  scape  smooth,  panicle  elon- 
gated, laxiflore,  minutiflore,  petals  short,  stamina  ex- 
serted. 

DESCRIPTION — Root  perennial,  yellowish,  hori- 
zontal, crooked,  with  few  fibres.  Radical  leaves  on 
,cng  petioles,  slender  and  covered  with  short  stiff 

•X 


243  HEUCHERA.  No.  49. 


hairs :  shaped  like  those  of  the  maple  trees,  base  deeply 
and  acutely  cordate,  circumference  acutely  five  cleft, 
sometimes  seven  cleft  or  even  nine  cleft ;  segments 
angular,  acute,  unequally  toothed,  teeth  short,  round- 
ed, mucronate;  only  five  branched  nerves:  both  sur- 
faces smooth,  upper  green,  lower  glaucous.  Scapes 
round,  smooth,  fistulose,  straight,  one  or  two  feet 
high. 

Flowers  very  small,  forming  a  long  panicle,  occu- 
pj'ing  the  upper  half  of  the  scape,  cylindrical,  but 
loose,  small  pinnatifid  or  pectinated  bracts  at  the  base 
of  the  branches,  which  are  scattered  and  irregularly 
divided  with  small  subulate  bracteoles  at  the  lower 
divisions:  pedicels  longer  than  thie  flower.  Calix  with 
five  acute  teeth.  Petals  lanceolate,  flesh  colored,  fila- 
ments subulate,  erect,  jutting  out,  anthers  rounded. 
Pistil  bifid  with  two  long  styles.  Stigma  obtuse.  Cap- 
sule with  two  beaks,  opening  inside  of  the  beaks,  with 
two  cells  formed  by  the  involute  valves.  Many  small 
blask  seeds. 

Locality — In  the  mountains,  hills,  clifis  and  fis- 
sures of  rocks  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  West  Vir- 
ginia, and  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Maryland,  &c. 

HIS-TORY — All  the  species  of  this  very  natural 
genus  have  the  same  properties,  and  are  used  indis- 
criminately under  the  name  of  Alumroot:  they  shall 
therefore  be  united  in  this  article.  I  have  thought 
preferable  to  figure  one  of  my  new  species,  rather  than 
to  give  another  figure  of  the  most  common  kind, 
wrongly  called  H.  americana.  Since  the  If,  dicho- 
toma  has  been  removed  from  this  genus,  all  the  known 


No.  49.  HEUCHERA.  243 

species  are  North  American/  and  possess  the  same 
peculiar  habit. 

Linnaeus  only  knew  one  species,  Michaux  two, 
Nuttal  three,  Pursh  five,  and  I  know  seven,  besides 
many  varieties,  without  being  sure  of  having  seen  all 
the  species  of  Pursh  and  Elliott.  As  this  genus  is 
yet  in  a  great  confusion  and  uncertainty,  I  shall  men- 
tion here  only  those  which  I  have  seen :  they  are  be- 
sides the  actual. 

1.  //.  Viscida  of  Pursh,  (or  //.  cortusa  of  Mi- 
chaux, the  H,  americana  of  Linnaeus,  &c.  and  W. 
Bart.  fig.  40.)  Vicidly  pubescent,  scapes  and  leaves 
a  little  scabrous,  leaves  oblong  cordate  ciliate,  with 
many  rounded  lobes,  and  unequal  mucronate  teeth, 
surface  concolor:  panicle  short  and  laxiflore,  calix 
short,  obtuse,  petals  short  lanceolate,  stamina  exsert- 
ed. — The  most  common  species  east  of  the  Alleghany 
mountains,  rare  to  the  west:  petals  rose.  The  varie- 
ties are  1.  Macrophyllo^  2.  Maculata,  3.  Scabra,  &.c. 

2.  II.  Villosa  of  JNlichaux,  (or  H.  hispida  of 
Pursh.)  Entirely  hairy,  leaves  cordate,  with  acute 
lobes,  panicle  laxiflore,  minutifiore,  pedicels  filiform, 
calix  acute,  petals  short,  &c. — In  the  Alleghany  moun- 
tains of  Virginia,  Carolina,  Sic.  Flowers  very,  small, 
petals  white. 

3.  H.  Pulverulenta  (ov  H.  piihescens  of  Pursh,  &c.) 
Leaves  pulverulent-pubescent,  cordate,  with  acute 
lobes,  toothed,  smooth  beneath ;  scape  smooth  below, 
rough  above,  panicle  crowded,  petals  longer  than  calix, 
?tamina  hardly  exserted. — In  the  mountains  from  New 


244j  HEUdMERA.  No.  49. 

England  to  Pennsylvania :  petals  red  and  yellow. 
Var.   1.  Rubra,  2.  Grandijlora,  &c. 

4.  H.  Squamosa  Raf.  Petioles  pilose,  leaves  sub- 
hirsute,  ciliate,  cordate,  acutely  seven  lobed,  denticu- 
late, glaucous  beneath  :  scapes  hairy,  with  oval  distant 
scales ;  panicle  short  or  ovai,  crowded,  and  scaly,  pe- 
dicels short,  calix  obtuse,  stamina  exserted. — In  the 
mountains  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  the  Cumberland 
mountains  of  Kentucky,  &c.  Leaves  rather  small, 
flowers  middle  size.  Var.  1.  Pumitn,  2.  Laxijiora, 
3.  Confertijlora, 

5.  H.  Reniformis  Raf.  Petioles  smooth,  leaves  re- 
niform  rounded,  faintly  lobed  and  toothed,  ciliolate, 
concolor,  sub-hirsute  above,  smooth  beneath :  scapes 
rough,  panicle  elongated,  grandidore,  laxiflore,  pedi- 
cels filiform,  calix  urceolate  obtuse,  petals  and  stamina 
exserted. — In  the  Cumberland  mountains  and  Knob 
hills  of  Kentucky :  leaves  aad  flowers  large,  petals 
white.  *  " 

6.  H.  Glauca  Raf.  Smooth,  glaucous,  leaves  cor- 
date obtusely  lobed,  mucronate-denticulate ;  panicle 
laxiflore,  elongated,  minutiflore,  petals  and  stamina 
short.    In  the  Cumberland  mountains. 

They  all  grow  among;  rocks  and  near  streams,  blos- 
soming in  June  and  July.  The  genus  has  been  dedi- 
cated to  Heucher,  a  German  botanist.  It  belongs  to 
the  natural  order  of  Diceres  or  Saxifragides,  diflei  ing 
from  Saxifi'aga  merely  by  having  five  instead  of  ten 
stamina,  and  to  Pentandria  Digynia  of  L. 

Qualities — The  whole  plants  are  astringent;  but 
the  roots  strongly  so,  and  biting  on  the  tongue  like 


No.  49.  HEUCHERA.  245 

alum,  but  nearly  scentless.  They  contain  nearly  the 
same  elements  as  Geranium  maculatznn,  but  more 
tannin  and  acid. 

PROPERTIES— The  root  of  these  plants  is  a  pow- 
erful astringent  styptic,  antiseptic,  vulnerary  and  de- 
tergent, probably  equal  to  Geranium  maculaium 
and  Spirea  tomenfosa.  It  was  used  by  the  Indians, 
and  is  still  used  in  Kentucky  and  the  Alleghany  moun- 
tains, in  powder,  as  an  external  remedy  in  sores, 
wounds,  ulcers,  and  even  cancers  :  it  is  one  of  the 
bases  of  the  cancer  powders  of  Empirics ;  united  to 
Orobanche,  Hydrastis,  &c.  It  is  employed  as  a  styp- 
tic in  internal  and  external  hemorrhagy,  bleeding  of 
the  nose,  foul  or  indolent  ulcers,  wounds  and  cuts.  It 
is  seldom  taken  internally  the  taste  being  so  inten- 
sively astringent ;  i)ut  it  promises  to  be  useful  even 
in  very  small  doses,  whenever  astringents  are  indi- 
cated. Coxe  says  that  the  Alumroot  has  been  sold 
for  the  Colchicum,  to  which  it  bears  no  resemblance 
in  form  nor  properties. 

Substitutes — Geranium,  Geum,  Spirea,  Sfaiice 
Sp.  and  other  powerful  astringents. 


2  X 


£46  KUMtTLUg.  Ko.  50. 

No.  50. 

HUMULUS    LUPULUS. 

English  Name— COMMON  HOP. 

French  Name — Houblon  commun. 

German  Name — Hopfen. 

Officinal  Names — Lupuli  coni,  humuli  strobili. 

Vulgar  Names — Hops,  Wild-hops,  Hopvine. 

Authorities Lin.     Pursh,    Nuttal,    A.    Ives» 

Schoepf,  Treaks,  Bryorly,  Bigsby,  many  Dispens. 
Alibert,  Goxe,  Eberle,  Maton,  Roches,  ZoUickofler, 
Bigelovv,  fig.  60  and  Seq. 


Genus  Humulus — Dioical,  Staminate  flowers  with 
a  five  leaved  perigone,  Stamina  five,  anthers  bipore. 
Pistilate  flowers  strobilate:  bracts  biflore,  perigone 
one  leaved,  persistent  entire,  concave,  involute.  One 
pistil,  two  styles,  one  seed. 

Species  H.  lupulus — Stem  twining  and  rough, 
leaves  opposite,  petiolate,  cordate,  three  or  five 
lobed,  acute,  sharply  serrate,  rough:  staminate  flow- 
ers panicled,  fertile  strobiles  axillary  peduncled. 

DESCRIPTION— Root  perennial.  Stem  annual, 
forming  a  climbing  vine,  twining  from  right  to  left, 
angular,  rough  with  minute  reflexed  prickles.  Leaves 
opposite,  petiols  crooked,  smaller  and  floral  leaves 
cordate,  acuminate,  serrate:  the  fhain*  leaves  nearly 
palmate,  trilobe,  sometimes  five  lobe;  lobes  large, 
oval  acute^  sharply  serrate  j  sinusses  obtuse,  without 


No.  50. 

HUMULU8   LUPULU8. 


COMMON  BOPS. 


No.  50.  KUSaULUS.  247 


teeth;  surface  very  rough  with  three  main  nerves  and 
many  veins. 

Flowers  numerous  and  greenish.  The  staminate 
on  different  individuals,  forming  axillary  panicles, 
with  two  or  four  bracts,  reflexed,  opposite,  petiolate, 
oval:  each  flower  peduncled,  Perigone  caliciform, 
with  five  oblong  obtuse  concave  and  spreading  sepals: 
five  stamina,  filaments  short,  anthers  oblong,  opening 
by  two  terminal  pores.  Pistilate  flowers  forming 
oval,  opposite,  axillary,  tlrooping  and  peduncled 
strobiles  or  cones.  Scales  imbricate,  oval,  acute, 
tubular  at  the  base,  each  covering  two  sessile  flowers. 
Perigone  (Corolla  of  Linnaeus)  shorter  than  the 
scales,  lateral,  oval  obtuse,  infolding  the  pistil  by  the 
edges.  Germen  rounded,  compressed,  two  short 
styles,  two  long  subulate  and  downy  stigmas.  Each 
flower  produces  a  single  roimd  seed. 

Locality — Native  of  Europe  and  America,  and 
cultivated  also  in  both  continents.  Schoepf  found  it 
wild  in  Virginia,  Nuttal  on  the  Missouri,  and  I  have 
seen  it  spontaneous  from  New  York  to  Kentucky  in 
groves,  thickets,  coppices  and  banks  of  streams. 

HISTORY — This  vine  is  ornamental  and  useful. 
It  is  extensively  cultivated  wherever  malt  liquors  are 
used,  and  forms  a  profitable  branch  of  agriculture. 
The  fertile  plants  alone  are  raised,  since  the  medical 
and  economical  parts  are  the  strobiles  of  the  seeds. 
The  young  shoots,  when  emerging  from  the  ground, 
are  however  eaten  like  Asparagus  in  Italy  and  Ger- 
many. The  fibres  of  the  vine  are  also  made  into 
coarse  cloth  in  Sweden  and  England.     The  blossoms 


S48  HUMULUS.  No.  50. 

appear  in  the  summer,  and  although  un colored  are 
not  devoid  of  elegance. 

Humulus  belongs  to  the  Natural  Order  Scabrides 
or  Urticides,  and  to  Dioecia  pentandria.  It  has 
but  this  species,  both  names  are  ancient. 

Qualities — The  whole  plant,  but  particularly  the 
strobiles  have  a  fragrant  sub-narcotic  smell,  and  a  bit- 
ter, astringent,  aromatic  taste.  A.  Ives  has  shown 
that  this  taste  and  smell  reside  in  a  fine  impalpable 
yellow  powder,  sprinklecT  over  the  fertile  plants,  and 
chiefly  on  the  strobiles,  which  may  be  separated  by 
threshing  and  sifting.  This  powder  has  been  called 
Lupulin,  although  it  is  not  a  proximate  principle,  but 
a  dry  secretion  from  the  plant,  and  a  compound  sub- 
stance containing  the  active  principles  and  properties. 
The  Lupulin  contains  out  of  120  parts,  46  of  lignin, 
36  resin,  12  wax,  11  amarina,  10  extractive,  5  tannin, 
besides  two  per  cent,  of  a  singular  essential  oil,  very 
volatile,  partly  soluble  in  water,  very  acrid,  and 
having  the  narcotic  smell  of  the  Hop.  The  Lupulin 
is  very  inflammable,  it  becomes  soft  and  adhesive  by 
handling:  the  strobiles  contains  one-sixth  of  their 
weight  of  it,  and  it  may  be  available  in  brewing  like 
the  hops  :  one  pound  being  equal  to  six  pounds  of 
hops. 

PROPERTIES— The  whole  plant,  but  chiefly  the 
Strobiles  and  the  Lupulin  are  tonic,  narcotic,  phan- 
tastic,  anodyne,  sedative,  alterative,  astringent,  anti- 
lithic,  diuretic,  corroborant,  &c.  The  strobiles  or 
hops  have  long  been  an  ingredient  of  porter,  ale  and 
other  malt  liquors,  to  which  they  impart  a  bitter  and 


No.  50.  BUlMEUZaUS.  S49 

aromatic  flavor,  besides  a  small  share  of  their  proper- 
ties ;  but  by  the  habitual  use  of  these  liquors  all  the 
good  effects  are  destroyed.  The  hop-beer  made  with 
molasses,  hops  and  yeast,  is  a  better  liquor  still,  and 
an  agreeable,  refreshing,  tonic  beverage. 

As  a  medicinal  article  hops  have  been  praised  by 
many  physicians,  and  employed  in  Nephritis,  Gravel, 
Gout,  Phrenitis,  Alopecia,  Luxations,  articular  Rheu- 
matism, Dyspepsia,  Scrophula,  Rachitis,  Eresypelas, 
Debility,  Strangury,  Hysteric  and  Nervous  com- 
plaints. Cancer,  &c.  As  tonic,  stomachic  and  corro- 
borant, they  are  available  in  diseases  depending  on 
debility  or  a  loss  of  tone  in  the  stomach ;  but  their 
powers  are  weak  in  this  as  well  as  all  the  other  pro- 
perties ascribed  to  them,  which,  however,  may  ren- 
der them  useful  when  mild  remedies  are  required. 
As  a  narcotic  and  sedative  they  operate  mildly,  and 
are  often  preferable  to  opium:  they  induce  sleep  with- 
out producing  the  bad  effects  of  opium.  Even  the 
external  application  of  hops,  produces  the  same  effect, 
and  a  pillow  of  hops  is  a  popular  mode  of  promoting 
sleep.  Poultices  and  fomentations  of  hops  are  common 
applications  for  painful  swellings.  Their  antilithic 
and  diuretic  property  is  questionable,  they  can  at  ut- 
most act  as  palliative,  and  are  sometimes  injurious; 
but  available  in  the  strangury  produced  by  Cantha- 
rides.  Besides  allaying  "pain  and  producing  sleep, 
hops  have  been  found  to  reduce  pulsations  from  96  to 
60,  while  rendering  the  pulse  more  firm.  They  are 
useful  in  the  weakness  and  watchfulness  of  hysteric 
patients.     An  ointment  of  hops  Is  a  palliative  in  the 


250  HUMITLUS.  No.  50, 

last  stage  of  Cancer.  They  are  said  to  act  as  antisep- 
tic and  corroborant  in  bowel  complaints.  Some  phy- 
sicians consider  them  as  general  alterative  of  the  sys- 
tem. Schoepf  mentions  the  seeds  as  used  in  Obstipa- 
tion. ZollickofFer  has  used  the  flowers  to  relieve  the 
pains  after  parturition.     . 

Many  preparations  are  made  with  them  ;  the  tinc- 
ture and  extract  of  hops  were  formerly  most  used. 
Now  the  pills,  syrup,  infusion,  tincture,  extract  and 
ointment  of  Lupulin  are  employed.  Boiling  water 
and  alcohol  dissolve  the  Lupulin.  The  doses  must  be 
small  and  gradually  increased,  beginning  with  one 
grain  of  Lupulin,  four  of  the  extract,  a  tea  spoonful 
of  the  tincture,  or  two  ounces  of  the  infusion.  An 
over  dose  produces  sore  throat,  nausea,  purging,  tre- 
mor, head  ache,  &c. 

Substitutes — The  mild  aromatic  tonics  and  nar- 
cotics ;  but  none  are  similar,  nor  combine  the  same 
number  of  properties,  the  Lyoopus  virginicus  alone 
comes  nearest  to  it. 

Remarks — The  malt  liquors  brewed  in  the  United 
States,  instead  of  being  a  wholesome  beverage,  are 
often  rendered  deleterious  by  the  substitution  or  ad- 
dition of  bitter  and  narcotic  ingredients:  the  harmless 
substitutes  to  Hops  are,  Liquorice,  Wormwood,  Quas- 
sia, Teucrium  Virginicum,  &c.  but  Datura  StramO' 
nium,  Cocculus,  Aloe,  &c.  that  have  been  added  in 
Pittsburg  and  elsewhere,  are  dangerous,  pernicious  or 
useless  ingredients. 


No.  61. 

HYDRASTIS   CANADENSIS. 


ITEILLOlXr  SITZSROOT. 


No.  51.  HYDRASTIS.  251 

No.  51. 

HYDRASTIS   CANADENSIS. 

English  Name— YELLOW  PUCOON. 

French  Name — Hydraste  du  Canada. 

German  Name — Gelb  Puckuhn. 

Officinal  Name — Hydrastis  radix. 

Vulgar  Names — Yellowroot,  Ground  Raspberry, 
Yellowpaint,  Golden  Seal,  Orange  root,  Indian  paint, 
Eyebalm,  &c. 

Synonyms —  Warner  a  CanadensisyiiW^r — Hydro- 
phylluni  verum  Linn,  Hydrastis  Ellis. 

Authorities — Linn.  Mich.  Pursh,  Miller,  Elliot, 
Eaton,  Torrey,  Stokes,  Coxe,  B.  Barton,  W.  Barton, 
fig.  26,  bad. 


Genus  Hydrastis — Perigone  simple,  petaloid, 
three  leaved,  caducous.  Stamina  many,  unequal, 
linear.  Pistils  many  forming  an  ovate  head,  Styles 
very  short,  stigmas  compressed.  Fruit  a  compound 
berry,  formed  by  acines  or  fleshy  seeds. 

Species  H,  Canadensis — Stem  two  leaved,  uniflore: 
leaves  unequal,  alterne,  lower  petiolate,  upper  sessile, 
palmate,  cordate,  three  to  seven  lobed,  lobes  acute, 
unequally  serrate;  flower  terminal  on  a  short  pedun- 
cle. ^ 

DESCRIPriON— Root  perennial,  of  a  bright  yel- 
low, tortuose,  knobby,  wrinkled,  with  many  long 
fibres.     Stem  a  foot  high  or  less,  simple,  straight, 


25S  HYDRASTIS.  No.  51. 

round,  pubescent,  base  naked,  top  with  two  unequal 
alterne  leaves.  First  leaf  petiolate,  cordate,  palmate, 
five  or  seven  lobed,  sinuses  oblong  and  obtuse,  lobes 
oval,  unequal,  acute,  wiA  irregular  sharp  serratures, 
five  branched  nerves.  The  upper  or  second  leaf 
similar,  ;but  sessile  and  commonly  trilobe.  These 
leaves  are  not  quite  expanded  when  the  blossoms  ap- 
pears. 

Flowers  single  terminal,  on  a  peduncle  shorter  than 
the  upper  leaf.  Three  petals  or  petaloid  leaves,  flesh 
or  rose  colored,  oval,  obtuse,  equal.  Many  unequal 
filaments,  shorter  than  the  petals,  linear  and  com- 
pressed; anthers  oblong,  obtuse,  compressed.  Many 
Pistils  oval,  crowded  forming  an  oval  head,  styles 
very  short,  stigma  dilated,  compressed.  Berry  red  and 
oval,  formed  by  many  oblong  grains  or  acines  ;  fleshy, 
obtuse,  muricatcd  by  the  persistent  styles,  each  one 
seeded,  seeds  oblong. 

Locality — From  Canada  and  Maine  to  Carolina 
and  Tennessee,  in  rich  shady  woods,  on  the  banks  of 
streams,  sides  of  hills,  deep  valleys :  very  common 
in  West  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Ohio,  &c.,  rare  in  lime- 
stone plains. 

HISTORY — A  pretty  and  singular  plant,  easily 
known  by  its  habit.  It  blossoms  very  early  in  the 
spring  in  March  and  April,  and  the  petals  are  so  ca- 
ducous and  fugaceous  that  they  fall  off,  as  soon  as  the 
blossoms  expands,  leaving  the  Stamina  and  pistils  bare. 
The  fruit  ripens  in  May,  and  is  very  much  like  a 
Raspberry  of  a  Bright  red  color ;  but  scarcely  edible. 

Linnaeus  knew  so  little  of  this  plant,  that  he  united 


No.  51.  HYDRASTIS.  253 


it  at  first  with  Hydrophyllum!  he  afterwards  adopted 
the  name  Hydrastis  of  Ellis,  which  is  a  very  bad 
name  meaning  imbibing  water,  while  this  plant  is 
not  at  all  aquatic.  The  name  of  Miller  Warnera 
would  have  been  better,  and  I  should  have  adopted 
this  last  and  called  it  fVarnera  diphylla  or  tinctoria 
if  established  errors  were  not  so  difficult  to  correct. 
The  vulgar  names  of  this  plant  are  also  various,  and 
common  to  many  others,  yellow  root  is  a  name  given 
to  ten  or  twelve  plants,  Jeffersonia,  Coptis,  Xan- 
thorhiza,  &c.  Pucoon  is  an  Indian  name  for  all  roots 
dying  red,  orange  or  yellow,  such  as  Sanguinaria, 
Batschia,  Galium,  Cecmothus,  &c.  ;  but  this  is  their 
best  yellow  Pucoon.  affording  a  juice  of  a  brilliant  yel- 
low color,  which  they  use  to  stain  skins  and  clothing; 
it  may  become  a  valuable  dye. 

Hydrastis  belongs  to  the  Racunculaceous  Order 
where  it  forms  a  very  distinct  genus,  by  its  berry 
like  seeds.     Also  to  Poly andria  poly gynia. 

Qualities — The  root  is  only  used,  it  is  juicy  when 
fresh,  and  loses  two  thirds  of  its  weight  by  drying. 
The  taste  is  exceedingly  bitter,  rather  pungent  and 
nauseous.  The  smell  is  strong  and  virose.  It  con- 
tains Amarine,  Extractive,  several  salts,  and  a  pecu- 
liar principle  Hydvastin  of  a  yellow  color, 

PROPERTIES— Tonic,  ophthalmic,  detergent, 
&c.  This  plant  is  much  used  in  Ohio,  Kentucky, 
&c.  for  diseases  of  the  eyes,  the  juice  or  an  infusion 
are  used  as  a  wash,  in  sore  or  inflamed  eyes.  It  is 
considered  a  specific  by  the  Indians  for  that  disorder; 
they  also  employ  it  for  sore  legs,  and  many  external 

Y 


254i  HYDRASTIS.  No.  51. 

complaints,  as  a  topical  tonic.  Internally  it  is  used  as 
a  bitter  tonic,  in  infusion  or  tincture  in  disorders  of 
the  stomach,  the  liver,  &c.,  and  is  equivalent  to  */9le- 
tris  and  Coptis.-  It  is  said  to  enter  into  compound 
remedies  for  the  Cancer,  acting  as  a  mild  detergent 
tonic,  and  the  Cherokees  are  supposed  to  use  it  in  that 
disease ;  but  better  detergents  are  known.  The  proper- 
ties of  this  plant  are  not  yet  fully  known,  it  appears 
to  be  slightly  narcotic  and  available  in  many  other 
disorders.  Some  Indians  employ  it  as  a  diuretic, 
stimulant  and  escharotic,  using  the  powder  for  blister- 
ing, and  the  infusion  for  the  Dropsy. 

Substitutes — Jeffersonia  binata — Coptis  tri folia 
Xanthorhizaf  *Mletris^  Sanguinaria,  Sigillaria, 
Frasera,  Menyanthes,  &c.  But  none  of  these  is  so 
efficacious  for  sore  eyes,  except  perhaps  the  Jeffer- 
sonia. For  Cancer  Viburnum  dentatum,  Rumcx 
and  Orobanche, 


No.  52. 

HT0SCIAMU8  NIGER. 


BKAOS  BsmjurB. 


No-  52.  HYOSCIAMUS.  255 


No-  52. 

HYOSCIAMUS  NIGER. 

English  Name— BLACK  HENBANE. 

French  Name — Jusquiame  noire. 

German  Name — Schwarz  Bilsenkraut. 

Officinal  Name — Hyosciamus. 

Vulgar    Names — Henbane,    Poison-Tobacco, 
Stinking  Nightshade,  &c. 

Authorities — Lin.  Pursh,  Eaton,  Torrey,  Cullen, 
Murray,  FoLhergill,  Kinglake,  Withering,  Schoepf, 
Thacher,  Duncan,  Coxe,  and  all  Dispens.  Eberle, 
A.  Ives,  Vv^oodviile  fig.  52,  Bigelow  fig.  17  and  seq. 


.  Genus  Hyosciamus — Calix  persistent,  urceolate, 
with  five  unequal  teeth.  Corolla  funnel  shaped,  with 
five  unequal  lobes.  Stamina  five,  unequal.  Pistil 
oval,  stile  filiform  declinatc,  stigma  obtuse.  Capsule 
two  celled,  many  seeded,  operculate. 

Species  //.  niger — Viscid  hairy,  leaves  clasping, 
lower  oval  oblong,  acute,  sinuate  or  undulate:  flowers 
unilateral,  sessile,  calix  with  sharp  teeth,  corolla  reti- 
culate, with  rounded  lobes. 

DESCRIPTIOx\— Root  biennial,  fusiform,  whitish. 
The  whole  plant  glaucous,  hairy,  glutinous,  lurid,  and 
fetid.  Stem  one  or  two  feet  high,  stiif,  round,  branch- 
ed. Radical  or  first  year  leaves  spread  on  the  ground, 
oval  or  oblong,  undulate,  contorted,  acute,  sessile, 
feinuated  by  large  acute  unequal  teeth,  nerve  thick  and 


g56  HYOSCIASMUS.  No.  52. 

branched.  Lower  leaves  of  the  stem  similar,  crowded, 
alterne,  clasping:  upper  leaves  smaller,  narrower, 
nearly  entire. 

Flowers  forming  unilateral  rows  on  the  branches, 
extra  axillary  and  opposed  to  the  leaves.  Calix  urceo- 
late  with  five  short  acute  and  stiff  segments.  Corolla 
irregular,  funnel  shaped,  with  five  unequal,  spreading, 
rounded  and  entire  lobes,  with  acute  sinuses:  this  co- 
rolla is  of  a  dingy  yellow,  with  a  pretty  net  work  of 
purple  veins.  Stamina  inserted  in  the  tube  of  the 
corolla;  filaments  filiform  unequal;  anthers  oblong, 
large,  yellow.  Style  slender,  longer  than  stamina, 
with  an  obtuse  stigma.  Capsule  rounded,  invested 
by  the  calix,  two  celled,  opening  by  a  circular  lid. 
Seeds  numerous,  unequal,  small,  oblong,  brownish. 

Locality — In  the  Northern  and  Eastern  States 
only,  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Rhode  Island,  and  extend- 
ing West  to  New  York  and  Canada:  very  rare  in  Ohio 
and  Pennsylvania;  unknown  in  the  South.  It  is  sup- 
posed to  be  a  naturalized  plant,  being  found  merely 
near  houses,  roads,  rubbish,  in  old  fields  and  gardens. 
It  is  properly  an  European  plant,  scattered  all  over 
Europe  and  extending  to  Asia. 

HISTORY — This  genus  belongs  to  the  natural  order 
of  LuRiDES,  and  family  Verbascides,  having  irregular 
corolla  or  stamina,  and  capsular  fruits.  Also  to  Pen- 
tand^na  monogynia  of  Linnseus. 

It  was  known  to  the  ancients  as  a  violent  narcotic 
poison ;  horses,  cattle,  deer  and  swine  eat  it  with  im- 
punity, but  it  poisons  rats.  The  appearance  is  lurid, 
the  smell  offensive  and  disgusting:  there  is  therefore 


No.  52.  HYOSCIAMUS.  257 


little  danger  of  using  it  inadvertantly.  The  whole 
plant,  roots  and  leaves,  produce  the  usual  effects  of 
narcotics.  It  blossoms  in  June  and  July.  The  seeds 
are  said  to  have  the  property  of  keeping  lon^  under 
ground,  and  germinating  whenever  brought  to  light. 

Qualities — The  taste  is  insipid,  slightly  acrid  and 
mucilaginous;  but  the  smell  is  virose,  rank,  strong, 
fetid,  pernicious  and  narcotic,  which,  however,  is  lost 
by  exsiccation  :  when  burpt  it  smells  like  Tobacco. 
It  contains  resin,  mucilage,  extractive,  gallic  acid, 
nitrates  and  other  salts,  besides  Hi/osciam  an  alka- 
line and  crystalline  active  principle,  which  does  not 
decompose  by  red  heat.  Yet  decoction  is  said  to  de- 
stroy the  narcotic  power  of  this  plant,  water  and  di- 
luted alcohol  extract  it. 

PROPERTIES — Narcotic,  phantastic,  phrenetic, 
anodyne,  antispasmodic,  repellent,  discutient,  &c. 
The  whole  plant  may  be  used  ;  but  the  seeds  contain 
more  Hyosciam,  Externally  the  bruised  leaves  are 
employed  in  cataplasm  or  an  ointment  made  of  them  : 
while  internally  the  extract  and  tincture  are  chiefly 
used.  The  extract  ought  to  be  made  with  the  inspis- 
sated juice  w^ithout  boiling,  the  doses  are  from  one  to 
ten  grains.  This  plant  operates  as  a  powerful  narcotic, 
and  if  taken  in  large  doses,  it  produces  drowsiness, 
intense  thirst,  anxiety,  head  ache,  irregular  hard  pulse, 
vertigo,  intoxication,  delirium,  dilatation  of  the  pupil, 
difficulty  of  breathing,  aphonia,  trismus,  coma,  a  fall- 
ing sensation,  risus  sardonicus,  double  vision  or  blind- 
ness, convulsions,  apoplexy,  loss  of  speech,  cold  ex- 
tremities,  blue  face,  typhomania,  carphologia,  gan- 


253  HYOSCIAMUS.  No.  52. 


grene,  and  death.  A  single  dose  of  one  grain  has 
even  produced  delirium  in  nervous  persons.  The  root 
having  been  mistaken  and  eaten  for  Parsnip,  has  caused 
many  of  these  alarming  symptoms  :  the  remedies  are 
vegetable  acids,  sulphate  of  iron,  &c.  which  neutralize 
the  poison,  and  emetics  which  discharge  it. 

The  internal  use  of  this  poison  has  been  recom- 
mended in  epilepsy,  hemoptysis,  colica  pictorum, 
rheumatism,  hysteria,  mania,  melancholy,  trismus, 
palpitations,  spasms,  arthritis,  glandular  swellings, 
obstinate  ulcerations,  asthma,  spasmodic  coughs,  tic 
douleureux,  &c.  by  many  phj'sicians,  and  deemed  a 
good  substitute  to  opium  and  stramonium  in  most 
cases  ;  but  it  is  not  so  safe  nor  certain,  and  far  less 
uniform  in  its  operation:  the  smallest  doses  are  apt  to 
produce  nausea,  head  ache,  laborious  sleep,  confusion 
of  ideas  and  even  delirium.  The  stomach  is  inflamed 
and  evinces  dark  gangrenous  spots  when  death  follows 
overdoses,  therefore  it  must  be  considered  as  one  of 
the  most  dangerous  narcotics.  It  ought  to  be  handled 
by  experienced  physicians  only,  and  always  begun  by 
minute  doses  gradually  increased.  It  may  be  prefer- 
able to  opium  in  some  cases,  as  it  is  rather  laxative 
than  constipating,  arid  does  not  stimulate  the  body. 
It  has  often  failed  in  epilepsy  and  convulsions.  It  acts 
better  in  spasmodic  coughs,  the  leaves  are  directed  to 
be  simmered  in  olive  or  almond  oil,  and  the  oil  used 
in  emulsions.  It  is  highly  praised  in  Tic  united  to 
Valerian  and  Oxide  of  Zinc.  It  has  been  found  useful 
in  some  puerperal  complaints,  &.c. 

The  external  use  of  Henbane  is  more  safe,  and  equal 


No.  52.  EYOSOIAMUS.  259 

to  that  of  Stramonium.  It  may  be  safely  employed 
in  painful  swellings,  schirrous  or  scrofulous  or  can- 
cerous ulcers,  inflamed  piles,  indolent  tumors  or  milk 
indurations  of  the  breast,  wandering  rheumatic  pains, 
inflamed  eyes,  spasms  of  the  bowels ;  inflammation  of 
the  kidneys,  urethra,  bowels,  testicles,  &c.;  in  chordee, 
blind  piles,  and  all  painful  external  afiections,  as  a 
very  eflicient  topical  anodyne.  The  fresh  or  powder- 
ed leaves  are  used  as  well  as  poultices  with  bread  and 
milk,  or  liniments  in  wax  and  oil.  Injections  of  it 
for  bowel  complaints  ought  to  be  given  in  decoction 
of  milk.  The  extract  has  been  used  to  prepare  for 
ophthalmic  operations,  by  dilating  the  pupil,  contract- 
ing the  iris  and  diminishing  sensibility.  The  smoke 
of  the  leaves  and  seeds,  directed  by  a  funnel  to  a  cari- 
ous tooth,  is  said  to  cure  odontalgy  ;  but  the  practice 
may  be  deleterious  and  attended  with  danger. 

Substitutes — Datura    Stramonium — Atropa 

belladonna — Solanum  Sp.  —  Conium — Cicuta 

Tobacco,  Opium  and  other  powerful  narcotics.  The 
Hyosciamus  albus  of  Europe  is  a  milder  equivalent, 
as  well  as  Humulus  or  hops. 


